Scholarships Provided to Future Health Care Workers
Two students were recently awarded scholarships through MyMichigan Health Foundation in Alpena. The awards included the Peter Aliferis Memorial Scholarship and the June and Gerald Kramer Memorial Scholarship, both of which provide $1,000 to individuals pursuing a career in health care.
The Aliferis Scholarship was established by the laboratory staff at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena in tribute to Dr. Peter Aliferis, a pathologist who worked with the Medical Center for 37 years. The award provides a $1,000 scholarship to a student pursuing a career in clinical laboratory science or who is or will be attending medical school.
This year, the scholarship was awarded to future physician, Ki'auna Meyer. Meyer impressed the selection committee with her essay, specifically her intent to help rural populations. She wrote:
“I am from a rural town in northern Michigan; this has allowed me to see firsthand the health disparities of an underserved community, which I hope to address as a future physician.” She continued, “Also, throughout college, I have worked in different health care settings, including adult foster care homes, with individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses. This opened my eyes to great inequalities in care for all people living in my area and other areas in my state. People often overlook the individual and only see their disability, which is one thing I know I will not do as a physician… Through my own experience, I know how important it is to advocate for yourself and your patients, and this is why I would like to give back to rural populations as a physician.”
The June and Gerald Kramer Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the memory of two long-time volunteers who spent many hours at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. June and Gerald brightened the lives of patients and healthcare workers alike with their smiles and laughter. Their generous scholarship upholds the philosophy by which they lived which was to simply “always help others.”
This year’s Kramer scholarship went to Emma Hardies, who, like the Kramer’s, believes in the importance of helping others. Hardies plans to become an occupational therapist, saying that, “Although I made the decision to pursue the field of occupational therapy, sometimes it feels like it chose me.” She explains this, writing, “I have always had a passion for caring for others, especially our most vulnerable, and a passion for science and learning more about caring for the human body. For this reason, occupational therapy became a perfect fit to best apply these passions and my personal skills and attributes.”
As for Hardies post-graduation plans, after graduating from Cornerstone University in May, she will be pursuing a master's degree in occupational therapy at Saginaw Valley State University where she has been accepted and will begin classes in August and after completing her degree and necessary certification, she plans return to her northern Michigan community.
According to Ann Diamond, director, MyMichigan Health Foundation, “We are honored to award these generous scholarships to Ki’auna and Emma to support them in their education. We thank the funders that make this possible, enhancing the potential of accomplished medical specialists returning to serve our community.”
Those interested in more information about health care scholarships or funding scholarships at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena may contact Ann Diamond at ann.diamond@mymichigan.org or (989) 356-7738.
