The board of directors of the Foundation of Collier County Medical Society is pleased to announce that Yordan Urrutia, graduate of Lorenzo Walker Technical High School in Naples in the class of 2024 at Florida State University College of Medicine, is the winner of the Foundation’s 2022 Dr. William Lascheid Memorial Scholarship for Medical Students.
The $12,500 award recognizes future physicians who are Florida residents and have demonstrated excellence in community service, in memory of Dr. Lascheid, co-founder of the charitable Neighborhood Health Clinic in Naples and a Past President of the Medical Society. It is the eighth year the Foundation has provided this scholarship.
“A primary goal of our Foundation is to provide much-needed financial aid to future medical professionals and reward students who give their time and talents to charitable causes,” said Dr. Rolando Rivera, board chair of the Foundation. “Mr. Urrutia is an outstanding example of Dr. Lascheid’s dedication to caring for vulnerable members of our community, and we are honored to award him this scholarship.”
“The Dr. William Lascheid Memorial Scholarship clearly embodies my husband’s mission of providing quality medical care for low-income workers who are in need,” said Nancy Lascheid, co-founder of the Neighborhood Health Clinic. “Congratulations to Yordan Urrutia, this year’s recipient, who exemplifies steadfast commitment to volunteerism, philanthropy, and making a positive impact on the medical outcomes of the underserved.”
Mr. Urrutia received his bachelor’s in psychology at Florida State University as a first-generation college student. His community service activities have included volunteering with Who We Play For! ECG Heart Screening; Leon County Dept. of Health (DOH) Vaccine Clinic; Leon County DOH Door-to-Door Community Outreach; Westminster Oaks Retirement Community’s flu clinic; and St. Matthew’s House Homeless Shelter. In addition, he served as Coordinator for FSUCares Immokalee and Panama Donation Drives; Medical Assistant Volunteer for Judeo Christian Free Health Clinic; Mentor and Tutor with SSTRIDE High School program; and Hospital Intern/Volunteer with the Hôpital d’Enfants de Rabat in Morocco.
“It is an incredible honor to be the recipient of the 2022 Dr. William Lascheid Memorial Scholarship,” said Mr. Urrutia. “Arriving from Cuba in 2004, and growing up and beginning my academic journey in Naples makes this award that much more special to me. Thank you to the Foundation for continuing to inspire and motivate me throughout my medical journey. My love for science and ambition for service continuously drive my passion to provide patient-centered health care; and I commit to continue to serve my community through empathy, education, and advocacy.”
The Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization launched by the Collier County Medical Society in 2012, with the mission to provide support and leadership to programs that address access to healthcare and promote health education. The Foundation’s signature fundraiser, the Docs & Duffers Golf Tournament on September 24, 2022, will help raise funds for its scholarship program and local healthcare programs in need. More information is available at ccmsfoundation.org and fb.com/ccmsfoundation.