The board of directors of the Foundation of Collier County Medical Society (FCCMS) is pleased to announce the winners of its 2020 Foundation Healthcare Scholarship awards: MaryJo Bekhash, Sydney Record, and Yesenia Stephens. Each student will receive a $4,000 scholarship.
The final tally of 2020 scholarship awards given by the Foundation is now $22,000, which also includes the $10,000 award given to Lisvet Luceno, recipient of the Foundation’s 2020 Dr. William Lascheid Memorial Scholarship for Medical Students.
The Foundation of CCMS healthcare scholarships are for students who are Florida residents enrolled or accepted into a healthcare degree program, with awards based on need, academic performance, and community involvement.
“We received scholarship applications this year from many outstanding healthcare students,” said Dr. Rolando Rivera, Chair, FCCMS board of directors. “As a Foundation we are concerned for the students whose studies have been interrupted and futures have become uncertain because of COVID-19. To that end, the main goal of this scholarship is to provide critical financial aid to future medical professionals, and to recognize their efforts.”
Ms. Bekhash, a Gulf Coast High School graduate, is a medical student at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, class of 2024. “I am so grateful for this scholarship award which will help alleviate the financial burden of medical school. I am eager to join the medical profession and give back to the community as a compassionate physician and patient advocate. The Foundation’s generosity is helping make this dream a reality.”
Ms. Record is a Naples High School graduate and a first-year medical student attending the Duke University School of Medicine. “I am extremely grateful to the Foundation for their incredibly generous support! I am about to complete my third week of medical school and my experiences here have already made me so much more excited about my career in healthcare. This scholarship will be instrumental in me being able to afford the costs of my education to pursue this career!
Ms. Stephens is from DeLand, Florida and a student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia, class of 2024. “I am honored and grateful for the scholarship award from the Foundation. This scholarship helps relieve some of the financial stress from medical school and allows me to focus on becoming a physician for underserved patients. I am encouraged by the support from the Foundation during this rigorous journey. Thank you for believing in me.”
The Foundation’s signature fundraiser, the Docs & Duffers Golf Tournament helps raise funds for its scholarship program and local healthcare programs in need. The 2020 tournament takes place September 26th at Tiburón Golf Club. More information on supporting FCCMS and its scholarships is available at ccmsfoundation.org.