Medical Professions Scholarship Winners

StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 2nd Quarter, 2008, Medical Professions Scholarship is Isabel Castro.
"I will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill this coming Fall 2008. I am excited to study Biology and later go on to become an obstetrician/gynecologist. It has always been a dream of mine to work with medicine but I was unsure of which path to take until my very own sister became pregnant in 2008. At this point I was introduced to my sister's doctor and immediately recognized my calling. As time passed, I felt more and more reassured that this is what I wanted to do with my life. I was present at her labor, which unfortunately came with many difficulties, but even these tribulations did not stop my determination. After thirty-six hours, my beautiful niece was born! That moment has shaped my future forever. I plan on finishing my undergraduate at Chapel Hill and then continuing my medical studies at the Medical School at Chapel Hill. The years laid out before me will come with many hardships and problems, but I know that my niece will be a constant reminder to remain loyal to my dream." Read a portion of Isabel's winning essay here.
StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 4th Quarter, 2007, Medical Professions Scholarship is Margaux McClure.
"I came to the United States when I was 10 years old. I was born and raised in France and could not speak any English when we moved to California. However, I have overcome this language barrier. I plan to go to the University of California in Davis to become a Veterinarian. My free time is spent volunteering with the Placer S.P.C.A (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) as well as the Northern California Beagle Rescue. I also have 2 part-time jobs. My first job consists of cleaning manure, feeding, and taking care of horses. I also work at Greyhound Friends for Life (Greyhound Rescue). I am a Junior at Del Oro High School in Loomis, California. My curriculum consists of difficult classes as well as AP and Honors courses (focusing in math and science). I am going into the medical field because I want to help others, especially animals. After seeing the abuse and neglect that many animals go through, my goal to become a veterinarian only became stronger. StraightForward Media is bringing me a step closer to achieving that goal. I am so grateful for that opportunity. " Read a portion of Margaux's winning essay here.
StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 3rd Quarter, 2007, Medical Professions Scholarship is Jonathan Andersen.
"My name is Jonathan Andersen and I am a current senior at Holy Cross. I am a psychology major with premedical concentrations. Since my freshman year I have been focused on a career as a psychiatrist, thus combining my love of psychology with my strong desire for medicine. I plan to work in a hospital between college and medical school; I have an interest in both allopathic and osteopathic medicine. I am excited about my future, yet scared at the same time. I look forward to all new endeavors after I leave college and I intend to face all challenges with open arms and, more importantly, an open mind." Read a portion of Jonathan's winning essay here.
2nd Quarter, 2007 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 2nd Quarter, 2007, Medical Professions Scholarship is Cindy Barg .
"I am a single mother, and an older student returing to school after years of devoting myself to raising two lovely young girls on my own while maintaining two jobs. All three of us will be in school at the same time and despite the astronomical costs of any college program or medical school, I am determined to manifest my dream of becoming a doctor with utmost integrity. Any assistance will help me reach this dream and I am most grateful for whatever help I can receive in order to be of highest service to others." Read a portion of Cindy's winning essay here.
1st Quarter, 2007 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 1st Quarter, 2007, Medical Professions Scholarship is Alison Dormer .
"A little about me: I’m just beginning my third year of medical school at Emory, and have just finished my first clerkship in obstetrics and gynecology, which is one of the fields I’m most interested in. In the past few weeks, I’ve finally had a taste of what it’s like to be a part of a medical team, assist in surgeries, and (finally) I’ve been able to deliver some babies. It’s been a wonderful experience, and I’m very thankful for the great teaching I’ve had here so far. I came to Emory from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where I grew up and then went on to undergrad. I graduated in 2005 with a BS in biology and German; while going to school, I also worked as a waitress and as a medical assistant in the Dept of OB/GYN at Michigan. The highlight of my undergrad years was my time in Germany, where I took language classes and was a student at the Benjamin Franklin Charite Hospital in Berlin for a summer – that was my first “real” medical experience, and I’ll never forget it. When I’m not at the hospital, I like to work on my new apartment, explore my neighborhood, go to concerts, and I try to make it to the occasional yoga class. I’m also working on rock climbing, though continuing to struggle with my fear of heights! In terms of my career plans, I plan to apply to the CDC Experience program for medical students this fall, where I’m hoping to learn some fundamentals in epidemiological field work. For now, though, I’m just really enjoying my third year of med school, and finally having a taste of so many fascinating areas of medicine." Read a portion of Alison's winning essay here.
StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 4th Quarter, 2006, Medical Professions Scholarship is Emilia Raszkiewicz from the University of Connecticut .
"I am a first generation college student and only child of my family in the U.S., my parents are Polish immigrants and my upbringing has led me to develop the fascinating, often challenging dual perspective resulting from my American and Polish cultural traditions. From a young age, I knew that my future career would have to thrill and challenge me. I knew it would have to emotionally reward me. I was always far ahead of my parents' plea for practicality, and it was tough - I knew I wouldn't rest until I made the right decision for myself. I have always been inquisitive about science and the workings of nature, and even as a little girl, I kept myself up to date on the advancements in natural sciences and medicine. Since I truly love learning and being well informed, I faced much confusion about what to study in college. I decided to study biology with a focus in genetics after I found myself consuming biology and medical news with the same fervor that draws many people to popular tabloids. I saw that studying biology at UConn would be a very unique opportunity to gain knowledge from some of the most diverse and interesting faculty working in the field of molecular biology. At present, my scholarly interests center on human genetics, disease and health promotion. In addition to my interests in the healthcare field, I also am very enthusiastic about student leadership development and encouraging younger students to set aside time to partake in community outreach and be informed citizens. I feel that I have learned so many valuable lessons outside of the books and classroom about life and society simply from being informed and active in the community. In the works for the coming school year is my plan to start a science-based community outreach initiative at my campus, in the hopes of giving children a special glimpse into science, medicine, and engineering that might let them find fascination in these fields much like I did. Outside of school, my hobbies include cars and motor sports, travel, and art work!" Read a portion of Emilia's winning essay here.
3rd Quarter, 2006 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 3rd Quarter, 2006, Medical Professions Scholarship is Ryan Yates from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA studying to become a Doctor of Chiropractic.
"I was born and raised in Providence, Utah where I attended Mountain Crest High School. I continued my education at Wabash College, a small, private, all-male, liberal arts college in Crawfordsville, IN where I earned a BA in Philosophy. While attending Wabash, I took a two-year hiatus from my studies to live in Sao Paulo, Brazil as a missionary. In Brazil, I fell in love with serving others by helping them heal spiritually. Upon my return home from Brazil, I knew that my life-long dream to become an attorney had faded as it did not feel like the right career for me. I began really searching for a career in which I felt I could serve humanity like I did in Brazil. Before graduating from Wabash College, chiropractic found me. After visiting family and learning about how influential chiropractic had been restoring their health and wellness, I fell in love with the incredible health profession. I wanted to be a part of profession that worked with the the body's own innate ability to heal itself and one which aimed at the prevention of disease and the promotion of wellness. I knew that by becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic, I would have an opportunity to do more that just treat back pain. I would have the opportunity to restore the body's full healing potential by removing interference in the communication system of the body, namely the Nervous System. I am excited and look forward to the many lives I might touch and am humbled at the great responsibility I have to improve the health and well-being of my future patients one adjustment at a time! " Read a portion of Ryan's winning essay here.
2nd Quarter, 2006 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 2nd Quarter, 2006, Medical Professions Scholarship is Corinna Beale from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. She plans on becoming a veterinarian so she can give animals the best chance at a good life.
"I originally got interested in becoming a veterinarian when I worked at a small animal hospital in Boston, MA. Since then I have worked in the animal behavior department at Tufts eterinary school, traveled to Kenya to work with large mammals, and spent a summer working in NH on a project with Loon health and preservation" Read an excerpt from Corinna's winning essay here.
1st Quarter, 2006 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 1st Quarter, 2006, Medical Professions Scholarship is Megan Kowalski, who is currently a full-time student in the Genetic Counseling Masters program at Arcadia University in Glenside, PA. She grew up in Gwynedd Valley, PA and attended high school at Gwynedd Mercy Academy. She attended Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD where she obtained a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry
"While at college, I had the opportunity to participate in research and completed my Senior Honors Research Project on The Role of Carbohydrate Metabolism in the Regulation of Feeding Behavior in Larvae of the Corn Earworm Moth (Heliothis zea). After graduating college in 2000, I was hired as a biologist in the Pathology Laboratories in Safety Assessment at Merck & Co., Inc. I spent six years working at Merck where I gained excellent experience in the pre-clinical area of pharmaceutical research. While at Merck, I was able to go to school part-time at the University of Pennsylvania where I obtained my Master of Biotechnology degree. I have always enjoyed research, and genetics research in particular, however, I am the type of person who thrives on interaction with others." Read an excerpt from Megan's winning essay here.

4th Quarter, 2005

StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 4th Quarter, 2005, Medical Professions Scholarship is Jacqueline Mann . She is a senior in the Capital Scholars Honors Program at the University of Illinois at Springfield, majoring in Biology/Pre-Veterinary Medicine and minoring in Chemistry.

"My ultimate dream is to become a practicing veterinarian in my hometown of Carrollton, Illinois. I was born and raised in rural Greene County by my parents, Dean and Carole Mann. I have two brothers, Joshua and Jacob, and a sister, Jennifer. During the course of my college career, I have completed two veterinary internships that have added fuel to my desire to become a veterinarian. The learning experience that I gained from these internships is invaluable. I hope to enjoy my career as a veterinarian so much that I continue working until my health no longer allows it. "

Please click here to read a portion of Jackie's winning essay.

3rd Quarter, 2005

StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 3rd Quarter, 2005, Medical Professions Scholarship is Aisha Siebert, a recent graduate of Dartmouth College pursuing a career in sustainable health care development with specific emphasis on International Public Health.

"My interest in Epidemiology stems from an upbringing in rural Botswana and Senegal. Between 1982 and 1992 my father conducted agricultural research funded by USAID through land grant universities, placing our family in the international aid community for the first half of my life. During my time in Botswana I gained exposure to the largely agrarian economy of sub-Saharan Africa. I was able to observe the way in which the peripheral impact of even minor epidemics had the power to cripple the livelihood of an entire community."

Please click here to read a portion of Aisha's winning essay.

2nd Quarter, 2005

StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 2nd Quarter, 2005, Medical Professions Scholarship is Clark Anderson. Clark currently attends Southern Illinois University and majors in Physician Assistant Sciences. He is one-third of the way through his clinical phase.

He is married, with two daughters and lives in Peoria, IL. He has served in the Army and Army Reserve for 22 years and has served 18 months in Kuwait and Iraq (February 2003 - July 2004) as a medic.

Please click here to read a portion of Clark's winning essay.

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