2021 Veterans Caucus Scholarship Winners
(Our scholarships were consolidated this year due to Covid-19 pandemic.)
Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial/Society of Army Physician Assistants/Veterans Caucus Scholarship
The Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award is in honor of the memory of the late wife of RADM Dr. Ken Moritsugu, whose life was cut short by a tragic auto accident. Donna was a multi-talented woman and whom Dr. Moritsugu describes as the “wind beneath his wings.”
The scholarship is provided by the members of the Society of Army Physician Assistants and Veterans Caucus to honor a veteran Physician Assistant student who served with distinction in the United States Army.
Winner – Jonathan Nikutta – Eastern Michigan University
Vikki Lianne Moritsugu Memorial/PFC Roger W. Cummins Memorial / Veterans Caucus Scholarship
The scholarship is made in honor of the late Vikki Moritsugu, loving daughter of RADM Dr. Kenneth and the late Donna Moritsugu. The Moritsugu family and friends remember Vikki’s passion for life and learning through this scholarship.
The PFC Roger W. Cummins scholarship, sponsored by CDR Steve Jacobs, PA-C, USN, (retired), is provided to the veteran, active duty, surviving spouse or child of a US Marine or Navy Corpsman who has served with the United States Marine Corps, who is currently enrolled in a PA training program. PFC Roger W Cummings was a highly motivated heroic individual who paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country and fellow Marines and the scholarship serves as a living memorial to him.
Winner – Crystal Purple – Wingate University
Lt Col David Gwinn Memorial / Veterans Caucus Scholarship
This scholarship is made possible through the contributions of friends of Lt Col David Gwinn who contributed in his memory upon his untimely death. It is for a deserving veteran of the United States Air Force. David was loved by everyone who knew him. He helped develop the Veterans Caucus and served in every way possible.
Winner –William Eisenhart – Yale Physician Assistant Online Program
SSgt Craig Ivory Memorial / Albert T. Kissell Memorial / Veterans Caucus Scholarship
The scholarship is provided by Pat and Terri Ivory to honor the memory of their son Craig, Army medic who passed away in Iraq.
Albert T. Kissel Scholarship is donated in the memory of the father of Josanne Kissel-Pagel. Army Pvt. Kissel served in World War II in the Philippines and Korea. Due to long term exposure to jungle conditions, Pvt. Kissel suffered heart, skin, and joint conditions that were treated by the Veterans Administration. This scholarship is given to a veteran enrolled in a PA program from any branch of the armed services with an interest in serving veterans.
Winner – Charles Jost III – Saint Louis University
Grogan Memorial / SGT Frederick C. Brace II Memorial / Veterans Caucus Scholarship
This scholarship is provided by Rodney Grogan and his wife in the memory of CMSgt USAF retired Kenneth Grogan and his wife Ernestine and Bryce Grogan, son of Rodney and his wife. This scholarship is open to an outstanding veteran or dependent of a veteran from any branch of the military.
This scholarship is provided by Adeline E. Brace and her family to recognize either a US Air Force veteran or dependent of a US Air Force veteran enrolled in PA training. This scholarship serves to memorialize the life and faithful service of her husband, USANG Sgt. Frederick C. Brace Jr. He also served as a volunteer fireman/paramedic with the Holbrook Fire Department on Long Island for 30+ years. This scholarship acknowledges her husband’s dedicated service to his community, friends, and country.
Winner – Natalie Freels – University of Florida
Society of Air Force Physician Assistants / SSgt Robert V. Milner Memorial / Veterans Caucus Scholarship
This scholarship is provided by the members of the Society of Air Force Physician Assistants and Veterans Caucus to honor a veteran Physician Assistant student who served with distinction in the United States Air Force. The scholarship is awarded in memory of Jerry Reed, Tony DiTomasso, and David Gwinn.
This scholarship is provided by Rear Admiral Mike Milner, PA-C Public Health Service retired and his wife Patricia Castillo, PA-C, recognizes either a United States Air Force veteran or dependent of an Air Force veteran enrolled in PA training. This scholarship serves to memorialize the life and faithful service to his country of his father, SSgt Robert V. Milner, USAF who served during the Korean War and the Berlin Airlift operations and acknowledges his father’s dedicated service to his community, friends, and country.
Winner – Elizabeth Heroux – University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Jesse Edwards Memorial / Captain Frederick C. Brace III Memorial / Veterans Caucus Scholarship
The Jesse Edwards Memorial/Veterans Caucus Scholarship is given by family and friends of the late Jesse Edwards. He was an avid PA educator at the University of Nebraska, Omaha who blazed the path for the first Physician Assistant Master’s online program. His foresight into the needs of the physician assistant profession provided many PA s the opportunity to advance their education.
This scholarship is provided by Linda Brace and her family along with many of Fred’s friends and coworkers to honor his memory. Fred was a US Air Force veteran and dedicated member of the Veterans Caucus Board of Directors. The scholarship will be awarded to either a US Air Force Veteran or dependent of a US Air Force Veteran enrolled in PA training.
Winner – John Garcia – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
SMSGT Nathan Lipscomb Memorial / LT Ruth Cortez Memorial / Veterans Caucus Scholarship
This scholarship is provided by Dallas Lipscomb and his family and recognizes either a US Air Force veteran or dependent of a US Air Force veteran enrolled in a PA training program. The scholarship serves to memorialize his father’s life and faithful service of USAF SMSgt. Nathan L. Lipscomb, Sr., who served in the Navy and Air Force during the cold war and in SE Asia. He was always a huge advocate of the PA profession.
The LT Ruth Cortes Memorial/Veterans Caucus scholarship is given by family and friends to a female veteran who is enrolled in a physician assistant program who has demonstrated commitment and dedication through service in the military, community, and her family as LT Cortes did in her personal and professional life.
Winner- Regina Feeks – Wingate University