NEPA Wellness Care Foundation bestows scholarships

SCRANTON — Two incoming associates of Geisinger Commonwealth College of Medicine’s (GCSOM) MD Course of 2026 have been named Northeastern Pennsylvania Wellbeing Care Foundation students. Alexis Blackburn of Moosic and Alivia Roberts of Hazleton have been picked for the scholarship, which considerably cuts down their healthcare faculty tuition burden. Both scholarship recipients have demonstrated tutorial excellence and a desire to serve the communities of northeastern Pennsylvania. 

They were being welcomed by the foundation, management of GCSOM and fellow NEPA HCF scholars at a unique breakfast held at the University of Medication.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health and fitness Care Basis (NEPA HCF) was proven in 2011 subsequent the sale of Mercy Clinic in Scranton. The basis is dedicated to increasing the well being and nicely-currently being of the individuals of the region, specifically the most vulnerable and most underserved of the populace. The Scranton Spot Basis (SAF) serves as foundation administrator.  

“Establishing this scholarship designed perception, presented NEPA HCF’s direct charge to increase the region’s wellness and wellbeing,” stated Laura Ducceschi, administrator of NEPA HCF & SAF’s president and CEO. “Incoming medical college students who apply for the scholarship have to have a shown motivation to training medication in northeastern Pennsylvania and a sturdy historical past of provider to the group. Providing these students fiscal support presents them the independence to decide on to stay listed here in the region and care for our neighbors.” 
 
“We are grateful to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Overall health Treatment Basis for offering these deserving pupils this sort of generous support as they start out the study of medicine,” explained Julie Byerley, M.D., M.P.H., president and dean of GCSOM. “The tutorial highway to getting to be a health care provider is tricky by itself. Economic worries really should not be an more stress for these proficient pupils.” 

With shadowing and participation in a preclinical experiences plan, Alexis Blackburn has been planning to use to health-related college for several years.  She graduated from the College of Scranton and is fascinated in inside medication.

Alivia Roberts has labored as an EMT, a medical scribe, a healthcare assistant and a nursing assistant during the peak of COVID-19. She gained her Grasp of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) degree from GCSOM and now describes herself as “a increasing department in the Geisinger loved ones tree.”
Other recent GCSOM learners and NEPA HCF scholars include things like:

Course of 2022:   
Stephanie Tilberry, Taylor – Stephanie lately matched to Lankenau Medical Centre, Wynnewood, PA to go after her residency in Obstetrics/Gynecology.
Randy Lesh, Scranton – Randy just lately matched to Geisinger Health-related Center, Danville, to purse his residency in Otolaryngology. 

Class of 2023:
Kristen Richards, Pittston 
Jude Polit-Moran, West Pittston 

Class of 2024:  
James Basting, Moosic 
Rachel Simon, Pittston 

Course of 2025:
Kyle Kidd, Harvey’s Lake 
Parita Ray, Scranton