Central Texas Students Awarded Scholarships To Pursue Health Careers

AUSTIN – St. David’s Foundation has awarded scholarships to 54 Texas graduating high school seniors who plan to pursue careers in healthcare.

St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarships provide up to $7,500 per year for up to four years of undergraduate studies for each recipient. Additionally, the scholarship is available for up to four years of graduate studies at Texas Colleges and Universities, as well as medical school.  The scholarships help cover expenses such as tuition, fees, books and medical supplies.

Funds for the scholarships are raised annually from Toast of the Town, a series of fundraising parties held each spring. St. David’s Foundation matches two-to-one the total amount raised from Toast of the Town, tripling the amount available for scholarships. Since its inception in 2005, 394 scholarships have been awarded.

Each scholarship recipient is matched with a St. David’s Healthcare professional in his or her chosen field who will act as a mentor and provide guidance for the student.  Formal presentation of the scho­­­­larships took place July 27^th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, at a special dinner and ceremony honoring recipients and their families.

The 2016 St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship recipients for Travis, Hays, Williamson, Bastrop and Caldwell counties, listed here with their college and major, include:

Akins High School

• Shelby Long, The University of Texas at Austin, nursing

Anderson High School

• Jory Henderson, Baylor University, medical humanities
• Sarah Hollis, The University of Texas at Austin, biology
• Chelsea Nguyen, The University of Texas at Austin, medical laboratory science
• Linh Pham, the University of Texas at Austin, human development and family sciences
• Joseph Pydyn, Texas A&M University, biomedical sciences
• Sarah Smith, The University of Texas at Austin, chemical engineering
• Chandler Spilo, Texas A&M University, kinesiology
• Ilanit Turner, the University of Texas at Austin, biochemistry

Bowie High School

• Katherine Jones, The University of Texas at Austin, biology

Brentwood Christian School

• Kayla Lane, Abilene Christian University, biochemistry

Cedar Park High School

• Po-Chih Chen, The University of Texas at Austin, biomedical engineering
• Trang Le, The University of Texas at Austin, biochemistry

Cedar Ridge High School

• Veronica Remmert, The University of Texas at Austin, biology

Connally High School

• Thao Do, Texas A&M University, biology

East View High School

• Karen Rativa, Southwestern University, biochemistry

Eastside Memorial High School

• A’lexus Robinson, St. Edward’s University, biology

Georgetown High School

• Shelby Brooks, The University of Texas at Austin, nursing
• Shayleigh Haas, Hardin-Simmons University, nursing
• Nathan Jones, Baylor University, biology
• Sarah Koshy, The University of Texas at Dallas, biology
• Natalie Parks, Texas Tech University, physical therapy

Harmony Science Academy-North Austin

• Isra Kazi, Texas State University, biology

Hendrickson High School

• Debleena Das, The University of Texas at Austin, public health
• Yvonne Lising, The University of Texas at Austin, public health

Lake Travis High School

• Josiah Snowden, Texas Christian University, biology

Lanier High School

• Aarifa Khatri, The University of Texas at Austin, biomedical engineering
• Joscelly Mondragon, Texas A&M University, nursing
• Luiz Rojas, The University of Texas at Austin, biology

Leander High School

• Katie Pitchford, Texas Christian University, neuroscience

Lehman High School

• Taylor Musselman, The University of Texas at Austin, neuroscience
• Nariko Nakachi, Texas A&M University, nutritional sciences
• Marcos Rivera , The University of Texas at Austin, biology

Liberal Arts & Science Academy

• Mica Gabrielle Mangibin, Texas A&M University, applied health sciences

Liberty Hill High School

• Allee Nix, Angelo State University, biology *Alfred A. King Chairman’s Award
• Peyton Phifer, The University of Texas at Austin, nursing

Manor New Technology High School

• Hannah Jones, Texas Tech University, nursing

McCallum High School

• Thea Jackman, The University of Texas at Austin, human development and family sciences
• Hannah McChesney, The University of Texas at Austin, natural sciences

McNeil High School

• Joanne Nguyen,Tthe University of Texas at Austin, biology

Pflugerville High School

• Shahrez Anjum, The University of Texas at Austin, business
• Kathleen Strybos, The University of Texas at Austin, biology

Round Rock High School

• Thomas Le, University of Texas at Austin, biochemistry
• Avish Patel, The University of Texas at Austin, finance
• Allison Petronzio, The University of Texas at Austin, biochemistry
• Nicholas Tan, Texas A&M University, biomedical sciences

St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School

• Joshua Noth, Texas A&M University, biomedical sciences

 Stony Point High School

• Yemariamwork Engidaw, The University of Texas at Austin, biology
• Luwam Estifanos, University of North Texas, biology
• Jasmine Evangelista, The University of Texas at Austin, nursing
• Celine Morshed, The University of Texas at Austin, neuroscience

Taylor High School

• Sarah Bohac, Texas A&M University, biomedical sciences

Vandegrift High School

• Avni Shah, The University of Texas at Dallas, biology

College Graduates

• Hanna Batory, Trinity University, graduate studies healthcare administration 
  

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About St. David’s Foundation:

St. David’s Foundation believes good health returns great benefits to the community. Through a unique partnership, the Foundation reinvests proceeds from St. David’s HealthCare to help build the healthiest community in the world. The Foundation helps people in every corner of the community through signature programs and collaborations with more than 60 nonprofit partners. In 2016, the Foundation’s goal is to invest up to $75 million to connect thousands of low-income people to a full range of health services. Foundation signature programs include the largest scholarship program in Texas for aspiring health professionals, and the largest mobile dental program in the country. Other focus areas include safety net clinics, agencies serving older adults, mental health initiatives, and support for healthy living initiatives. For more information on St. David’s Foundation visit www.stdavidsfoundation.org.