The Judith Yannariello, Ph.D. Endowed Scholarship at Rutgers School of Health Professions honors the remarkable legacy of a dedicated researcher, mentor, and aspiring physician assistant whose resilience and compassion left a profound impact on her classmates and patients alike.

Judith Yannariello, who received her bachelor’s degree from Rutgers Livingston College ’80 and went on to earn her doctoral degree in biomedical research, had long dedicated herself to advancing health care, including groundbreaking work in organic spinal disk replacement research. In 2011, at the age of 53, she returned to Rutgers to pursue a new path as a physician assistant. Judith embraced the role of ‘class mom,’ offering invaluable wisdom, comfort, and advice to her peers through their challenging studies and life transitions. 

Her journey, however, was cut short when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just as she began the second year of the academic portion of her PA program. After intensive surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, Judith found the strength to return to her studies just one year later, inspiring classmates and faculty alike with her grit and determination. One particularly poignant story captures her empathy: when a patient in her clinical rotation hesitated to make an appointment due to a fear of needles, Judith offered to hold the woman’s hand, promising her the same care she had given her own child. This moment embodies the compassion that defined Judith’s approach to patient care.

Sadly, Judith’s cancer returned, and she passed away in 2014. Her legacy, however, lives on in the scholarship established by her husband, Rev. Jack Zamboni, his family, and many generous donors. The scholarship is awarded to PA students who, like Judith, demonstrate compassion, commitment to primary care, and a desire to serve underserved communities.

This year’s scholarship recipient, Debbi Shin, reflects Judith’s enduring values. Growing up in a financially struggling family, Debbi learned early the importance of resilience, teamwork, and service to others, values she carried into her health care career. Working in various settings, especially through the pandemic, Debbi developed a deep empathy for patients and teams facing high patient volumes and provider shortages.

As Debbi shared, “Dr. Judith Yannariello inspires me in so many ways. Through her example, I am reminded to serve as a listener, supporter, and friend in both academic and professional settings. This scholarship brings me closer to my goal of supporting underserved patient populations and, eventually, becoming an educator to guide future PAs as I was guided at Rutgers.”

Visit our Scholarship Recipients page for more inspiring stories of this year’s scholarship recipients.