Hospital Volunteers Support Local Students Seeking Healthcare Careers
A special gathering took place at Mercy Hospital of Folsom Thursday as a long tradition to help future medical students continued. For almost 48 years, the Mercy Hospital of Folsom Auxiliary has awarded scholarships to deserving students seeking careers in the medical field and 2024 is no exception.
This year, the Auxiliary presented a total of $15,000 in scholarships to 15 different recipients. Those recipients were honored and presented with $1,000 each at the Scholarship Reception Thursday afternoon in Folsom.
“This group of scholarship winners excel, not only academically, but they also dedicate their time, energy and hearts into our hospital,” said Jannine Harnage,Manager of Volunteer Services at Dignity Health Mercy Hospital of Folsom. “I am so incredibly grateful and proud of each of the scholarship winners and our Auxiliary for their dedication, compassion and empathy.”
Scholarship recipients this year were Anton Baiju; Daniela Baliban; Daijeni Barker; Sonja Danayan; Oleksandr Gavelovskyy; Carson Hager; Ashlin Joby; Sherry Jones; Ruchira Kosuru; Akshika Pradeeban; Harleen Randhawa; Jonathon Sunkari; Kunel; Tarmaster; Ahmad Yassin and. Fadwa Zakaria.
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Mercy Hospital of Folsom Auxiliary for their generosity,” said Scholarship Recipient Sherry Jones. “As I continue to embark on this journey in my academic and professional career, I promise to carry out the compassion, integrity and excellence that was instilled in me by the Mercy Hospital of Folsom team. With this scholarship, I am one step closer to achieving my dreams of making a meaningful difference in the lives of others through healthcare.”
For the 2024 year, eligibility for the scholarships was open to volunteer students and Mercy Hospital of Folsom employees. Recipients were selected for the awards based on an application and selection process that included a review of grades, personal essays, letters of reference, and a personal interview before a selection panel.
All money awarded for the yearly scholarships is raised by the Mercy Auxiliary Gift Shop, no hospital funds are used for this purpose. The Gift Shop is entirely managed and operated by Auxiliary volunteers; and all proceeds from the sales go directly to the scholarship fund. The hospital’s first scholarship was awarded in 1978 in the amount of $10o. Since its earli beginnings, the Auxiliary has awarded more than $250,000 to deserving students.
