Congratulations 2023–2024 Scholarship Awardees

Catherine & Kenneth T. Gill Memorial Endowed Scholarship 
Nagham Al Darwish
Jake Mariani
Vidhi Patel

Champions Endowed Scholarship 
Elijah Jowell Caparoso

Clinical & Preventive Nutrition Science Departmental Scholarship
Gloria Verdino

Dr. Laura Matarese DCN Scholarship 
Lyssa Lamport

Dr. Joseph A. Schwenkler Scholarship
Lisa Benjamin

Estate of Edith Richards Endowed Scholarship 
Madeline Gerdes

John G. Collins Endowed Scholarship 
Oluchukwu Ibe

Judith Yannariello, Ph.D. Endowed Scholarship 
Noah Reyes

Kirsch Family Physical Therapy Leadership Scholarship
Maekenzi Dixon

Rehabilitation & Movement Sciences Department Scholarship
Oonagh Breen
Melissa Leyman

Office of the Dean’s SHP Scholarship
Elizabeth Atkinson

SHP Endowed Student Scholarship 
Sarah Ahawo
Akua Atweaban
Marian Awadalla
Fatoumata Bah
Sasha Feinstein
Madison Palmer
Xiomara Vargas Espiritu
Amber Williams
Sanayah Williams

SHP Student Scholarship Fund
Le’Asha DeBerry
Justice Mpesum
Mira Ryu

SHP Alumni Association Military/Veterans Appreciation Scholarship 
Euikyeom Jeong

Stanley S. Bergen Endowed Scholarship 
Joshua Suter

Student Assistance Endowment Scholarship 
Joshua Suter

W. Paul Stillman Endowed Scholarship Trust Fund
Corrine Calvanico
Marianny Collado
Embaby Asmaa
Yalmin Encarnacion
Melissa Quintana Blanco
Devan Wilson
Melanie Wright

Wells Fargo Bank Endowed Scholarships for Allied Health Professionals
Madeline Gerdes

Congratulations 2022–2023 Scholarship Awardees

Alma and Richard Merians Scholarship
MaeKenzi Dixon
Ifeanyi Anaemejah

Argos Scholarship Fund
Eva Frimpong
John Ogando

Aventis Endowed Scholarship Fund
Rachel Sarracco

Catherine & Kenneth T. Gill Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Wooyoon Eunice Chung
Eileen Milicia
Katherine Romero

Champions Endowed Scholarship
Oonagh Breen

Estate of Edith Richards Endowed Scholarship
Rachel Sarracco

Office of the Dean’s SHP Scholarship
Fatoumata Bah

Dr. Joseph A. Schwenkler Scholarship Fund for PA Students
Allison Davanzo
Rushi Mehta

SHP Alumni Association Military/Veteran Appreciation Scholarship
Brianna Lally

SHP Endowed Student Scholarship 
Lukmanlat Balogun
Maryam Eltomy
Jordan Faith
Amanda Gialanella
Emmaleigh Hauck
Jenny Lu
Melanie Miranda

SHP Student Scholarship Fund
Folasade Adenodi
Jillian Cullen
Vera Schroeder

Stanley S. Bergen Endowed Scholarship
Juan Hernandez

Student Assistance Endowment Scholarship
Juan Hernandez

W. Paul Stillman Endowed Scholarship Trust fund Scholarship
Mishel Akbar
Alexis Drew
Daniel Flores Castaneda
Ava Mancini
Julia Melao
Skylar Tynan
Amanda Whitlock

Wells Fargo Bank Endowed Scholarships for Allied Health Professionals
Rachel Sarracco

Judith Yannariello, Ph.D Endowed Scholarship
Elise Miller

Clinical Laboratory Sciences Departmental Scholarship
Negussie Kaba

Clinical & Preventive Nutritional Sciences Departmental Scholarship Awardee(s)
Lea Steiner

Physician Assistant Studies & Practice Departmental Scholarships
Xenophon Speros

Department of Rehab & Movement Sciences-Departmental Scholarships
Haley Coursen

Dr. Laura Matarese Doctoral Scholarship
Melissa Wallinga

Allison Davanzo
Physician’s Assistant Program

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Allison Davanzo
Physician’s Assistant Program

I graduated from The College of New Jersey in 2020 with a BS in public health and a minor in psychology. During my time at TCNJ, I was part of the Bonner Community Scholars Program where I was actively involved with the Trenton community addressing community-identified needs such as food insecurity, homelessness, and sustainability. I also attended Kripalu School of Yoga to become a certified yoga teacher. In my free time, I enjoy yoga, the outdoors, and reading. As a second-year PA student, I am currently soaking up all the information in the medicine modules and looking forward to starting clinical rotations! I am keeping an open mind throughout the didactic and clinical education portions of the program, and I am so excited to see where I may want to work in the future. Thank you again for honoring me with this scholarship!

Brianna Lally
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

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Brianna Lally
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

When I found out I was selected for this scholarship, I was thrilled! I know there were many other candidates just as deserving, so I am so grateful to have this privilege. Coming from a family of service members, attending college has only recently become an avenue of pursuit. When I was enlisted in the Marine Corps, I realized my path was Physical Therapy. It has been a grueling six-year journey, with multiple sidetracks to get to the position I am in now. The journey thus far has required focus and intestinal fortitude, which I would not have if it weren’t for my time serving my country. I still have quite the road ahead. This scholarship is a much-needed supplement to ensure I can dedicate more time to my studies and work with my classmates on the Executive Board. Again, I am so grateful to have been selected by the School of Health Professions Alumni Association for the Military/Veteran Appreciation Scholarship. I promise to continue to give my full self to this program to reach my full potential as a healthcare provider.

Eileen Milicia
MA Clinical Mental Health & Rehabilitation Counseling Program

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Eileen Milicia
MA Clinical Mental Health & Rehabilitation Counseling Program

My name is Eileen Milicia, I’m currently in my final year of my master’s degree in clinical mental health and rehabilitation counseling. Throughout my undergrad and masters thus far, I have worked part time while studying and being a single mother. As I enter the practicum portion of my degree, it has become impossible to balance work, school and being a parent so this scholarship from the Catherine and Kenneth T. Gill memorial fund will allow me to have the stress of finances removed from the many things I must balance.

I’d like to thank my professors and classmates who have supported me throughout my journey to achieve my master’s degree. I’d also like to thank my family and son for their constant support and cheer throughout my academic career. Without their support, I would not have been able to achieve the level of academics I have so far.

Thank you to the Catherine and Kenneth T. Gill memorial fund for selecting me for this scholarship and believing in me.

Elise Miller
Physician’s Assistant Program

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Elise Miller
Physician’s Assistant Program

It is truly an honor to be chosen for this scholarship. My journey to PA school has been rather winding, but I am glad to have the opportunity to fulfill my dream. As a second-career student, much like Dr. Yannariello did, I understand that sacrifice, risks, and challenges of following your passion. After high school, I was set on being pre-med in college but, like most, I changed my mind partway through. I completed a BS in Psychology degree at The University of Pittsburgh and immediately began an MS in Mental Health Counseling at Villanova University in the hopes of finding a career dedicated toward the service of others. I began working with underprivileged and low SES adolescents at a juvenile detention center outside of Philadelphia. I found the work compelling and the youth inspiring. Without health insurance and consistent pay, I was unfortunately forced to look for a job elsewhere. It was here that the path veers off course a bit.

I became an Investigator for the US Secret Service. During my 4 years there I got to conduct investigations, protect presidents and foreign heads of state, and travel to parts of the world I would not have had the opportunity to otherwise. But the aspect of the job, I found the most fulfilling was teaching at a junior police academy, with the hope of inspiring the young cadets to pursue careers serving others. It was then I knew I needed to pursue my own dream of becoming a physician assistant. I made the decision to go back to working with underserved kids while taking my pre-requisite coursework at the local community college. I didn’t have a school acceptance letter and I didn’t have any financial support, but I knew with hard work, and a little bit of faith, it would all work out. And here I am! Humbled by your recognition and honored to represent the legacy of such a wonderfully compassionate and strong woman, Dr. Judith Yannariello.

Fatoumata Bah
Health Information Management Program

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Fatoumata Bah
Health Information Management Program

My name is Fatoumata Bah, I am from Guinea a small country in west Africa. I immigrated to the U.S when I was 11 years old. I’m a first-generation college student, and as a kid, I always dreamt of working in the healthcare field. As I grew older and explored the many different career fields in healthcare, I realized that the health information management field would best fit my dreams and career for many different reasons. I want to be a health information technology for various reasons, and this person plays a significant role in my life, and why I choose health information management as a profession. The health information profession will be highly fulfilling for me because of its emphasis on improving patient care standards within a setting.

Haley Coursen
Physician’s Assistant Program

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Haley Coursen
Physician’s Assistant Program

My name is Haley Coursen and I have wanted to be a PT ever since I was 13 years old. Playing soccer my whole life has led me to see different injuries and the way it affects players, so I have always wanted to be that influence at a vulnerable time of their life. As I went through undergrad, I realized how much the healthcare system needs to change for the better which led me further into my passion for PT. Through my various observation and now clinical experiences, I have grown my knowledge for working with various types of patients. I am honored to accept this award to assist with furthering my education and hopefully bring positive influence on the community.

Rushi Mehta
Physician’s Assistant Program

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Rushi Mehta
Physician’s Assistant Program

I am a second-year Physician Assistant (PA) student and a former Rutgers New Brunswick graduate with a degree in Cell Biology and Neuroscience. I am currently a PAEA Student Health Policy Fellow and the NJSSPA student representative within my program.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Rutgers PA Program faculty, and the SHP Scholarship Review Committee for selecting me as the recipient for the Dr. Joseph A. Schwenkler Scholarship. I hope to continue to work towards my advocacy goals, expand on my experiences from the PAEA Student Health Policy Fellowship this year and encourage students around me to become active advocates for our profession.

Xenophon Speros
Physician’s Assistant Program

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Xenophon Speros
Physician’s Assistant Program

I was overcome with excitement after receiving the phone call from SHP congratulating me for earning the award.  Words cannot properly express my appreciation of your acknowledgement and support.

I am currently a second year Physician Assistant student. I am having an incredible experience at the Rutgers School of Health Professions and could not be more grateful towards the Physician Assistant Studies faculty for your support and commitment to offering me the best education possible. Prior to my matriculation to the program, I developed my healthcare knowledge through my work as a medical scribe, phlebotomist, and pharmacy technician. Through these experiences, I connected with countless people along different points of the healthcare spectrum while developing a strong understanding and commitment to patient-centered care. I am currently interested in specializing in orthopedics or cardiology but look forward to keeping an open mind to new interests when I start clinical rotations next spring.

Thank you again for your generosity and acknowledgment of my hard work and achievements. By offering me this scholarship award, you have helped lighten my current and future financial burden. This will allow me to better focus on my studies in the present as well as delivering optimal care to my patients in the future. This award truly means the world to me, and I hope I can someday support Rutgers Physician Assistant students the way you have for me and many others.

Jillian Cullen
AS Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Treatment Program

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Jillian Cullen
AS Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Treatment Program

I am writing to thank express my sincere gratitude to you for making the SHP Endowed Student Scholarship possible. I was very happy and appreciative to learn that I was selected as the recipient of your scholarship.

I am in my final year of the Associates in Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Treatment program. I plan to continue working in the field and utilizing the skills I am learning to improve the assistance I provide individuals in their recovery journeys. After graduation, I will go for my CPRP certification as well as a master’s degree, and hopefully work with individuals who experienced incarceration or who currently still are. Thanks to you, I am one step closer to that goal.

By awarding me the SHP Endowed Scholarship, you have lightened my financial burden, which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school: learning. I promise you I will work very hard and eventually give back to others, both as teacher and possibly a scholarship to future students like myself.

Lea Steiner
DCN Program

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Lea Steiner
DCN Program

It was an honor to be selected for a scholarship award. Thank you for your consideration. It means a lot in continuing my education and pursing my doctoral degree. These pandemic years have been especially hard for everyone. For me it brought unexpected medical hardship which makes this award especially meaningful in helping me to pursue my goals without added financial strain.

I am excited to have the opportunity to further pursue my education and research interests. This scholarship makes this personal and professional goal tangible for me. I am entering my third year in clinical nutrition doctoral program at Rutgers University and continue to work full time as a clinical dietitian. I have been a VA dietitian for almost 8 years now and it is an honor to serve veterans.

A doctorate degree has been a lifelong goal for me, and I am excited to advance the field of dietetics and contribute to research in my field. In the long term, I hope to pursue leadership roles in my field.

Thank you so much for your contribution and consideration to my continued education. I am truly honored to have been selected for this award.