GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT AWARDS $85,000 IN SCHOLARLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR HEALTHCARE STUDIES

March 29, 2014 (La Mesa)--The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), a public agency that supports various health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East County region, recently awarded $85,500 in scholarships to 38 high school students who have expressed interest in a career as a healthcare professional.

The students from 19 high schools in the East County were selected by school administrators for their academic excellence, outstanding citizenship and a desire to improve our world in the healthcare field. Two students from each high school will receive a GHD scholarship of either $3,000 or $1,500. Students will receive checks from GHD at the end of their first semester of college contingent on completing at least nine units with a grade point average of 2.0 or better, according to GHD 2014 board president Dr. Michael Long.

“We applaud these specially selected students who have demonstrated great potential in leading the next generation and shaping the future of healthcare,” said Long. “We are proud to invest in America’s youth and encourage these young adults as they continue their studies in the healthcare field with the goal of serving in the workforce of tomorrow. We look forward to following their successes through college and beyond.” 

The students included (name of the high school follows the students’ names): Brianna Tirado, Alisha Jensen, Chaparral; Mariah Weaklem, Daniel Guidry, Christian; Chauntiera Cook, Lana Abdulrazzaq, El Cajon Valley; Nick Macias, Nicole Knaresboro, El Capitan; Caleb Hale, Liberty Lee, Foothills Christian; Carly Martin, Sierra O’Neill, Granite Hills; Daniel Ireton, Austin Stephens, Grossmont; Cheyenne Stokes, Justin Fatoohi, Grossmont Middle College; Alondra Lopez-Barajas, Irving Ruiz, Helix Charter; Alexis Valdez, Roman Odom, Liberty Charter; Adriana Martinez, Masiti Mohamed, Mount Miguel; Annastacia Watson, Molly Smith, Monte Vista; Carolyn Kravitz, Sariana Salazar-Lewis, Mountain Empire; Rylie Ruckle, Nina Sinbandit, Patrick Henry; Joel Erberich, Meghan Smith, River Valley Charter; Ryan Pena, Griffin Rizzo, Santana; Sahar Nafez, Samantha Abbott, Steele Canyon Charter; Leana Frankul, Dahlia Aleshaki, Valhalla; Torian Riley, Ojeni Touma, West Hills.

The scholarships were presented by GHD at its March 21 board meeting. GHD has honored local high school students interested in a healthcare career with scholarship grants since 1999. Over the years, hundreds of local high school students have received individual scholarships totaling $876,500.

The Grossmont Healthcare District, formed in 1952 to build and operate Grossmont Hospital, serves as landlord of Sharp Grossmont Hospital, including ownership of the property and buildings on behalf of East County taxpayers. The District is governed by a five-member board of directors, each elected to four-year terms, who represent more than 500,000 people residing within the District's 750 square miles in San Diego's East County. For more information about GHD, visit www.grossmonthealthcare.org.