Mission Health awards 19 minority students in WNC with Kesha Young Health Careers Scholarship

Press release

From Mission Health:

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Sept. 3, 2013) – Mission Health is making college more affordable this year for 19 minority high school seniors and college students from western North Carolina who are interested in careers in healthcare. Mission Health’s Kesha Young Health Careers Scholarship Program will provide $2,500 in scholarship funds to each recipient for the 2013-2014 school year.
“Since 2006, the Kesha Young Scholarship Program has helped hundreds of minority students in our region receive a college education and put them on the right track toward a successful career in healthcare,” said Sheila Meadows, Vice President of Human Resources at Mission Hospital. “The scholarships are awarded to minority students to help with college tuition, books and expenses. We also plan to enhance our program to mentor these students as they navigate their course to a career in healthcare. All 19 of the students selected this year have excelled in their academic careers and are truly deserving of this award.”
The following 19 students will receive $2,500 in scholarship funds for the 2013-2014 school year:

Abigail Chavez, UNC-Greensboro

Jalen Craig, Winston-Salem State University

Dreama Davis, North Carolina AT&T State

Chelsea Finley, American International College

Kamra Harper, Western Carolina University

Cayla Jiles, Winston-Salem State University

Joseph Lee, Western Carolina University

Sintayehu Lenahan, East Carolina University

Melvis Madrigal-Nava, Warren-Wilson College

Nicole Martin, University of Maryland

Lydia McKeithan, Vanderbilt University

Nadine Palacio, UNC-Greensboro

Anice Smith, East Carolina University

Kiarra Tobe, Queens University of Charlotte

Porshia Underwood, East Carolina University

Robert Underwood, East Carolina University

Aubrille Wallace, UNC-Charlotte

Bryanna Williams, UNC-Greensboro

Marquitta Young, AB Tech

Each year, Mission Health awards the Kesha Young Health Careers Scholarships to as many as 50 students interested in careers in healthcare. The scholarship aims to help further students’ educational and professional development in healthcare and nurture the growth of future Mission Health caregivers.
The scholarship is named in honor of Kesha Young, a 22-year-old, bi-racial woman who was born with mental and physical disabilities and underwent multiple surgeries at Mission Hospital. In 2004, Kesha died just months before she was scheduled to earn her high school diploma. Despite experiencing constant pain and being confined to a wheelchair, Kesha was described by her adopted parents as embodying the characteristics that are vital to the way caregivers engage with patients, families and visitors: with a strong spirit, warm smile and positive encouragement.

About Mission Health
Mission Health, based in Asheville, N.C., is the state’s sixth-largest health system and the region’s only not-for-profit, independent community hospital system governed and managed exclusively in western North Carolina. Mission Health was recognized as one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems in 2012 and 2013 by Thomson Reuters and Truven Health Analytics, respectively. Mission Health is one of only two medium-sized health systems to receive this recognition in 2012 and 2013, and the only health system in North Carolina to achieve that distinction.
Mission Health, which traces its roots in the region back to 1885, operates five hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. Its medical staff consists of more than 1,000 physicians and is certified in more than 50 medical specialties and sub- specialties. Mission Health has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Children’s Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Women’s Health. Mission Hospital, located in Asheville, is the system’s flagship hospital and is licensed for 730 beds. It is the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care. It also includes Mission Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. Other Mission Health member hospitals include Angel Medical Center in Franklin, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, McDowell Hospital in Marion and Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard. With approximately 9,500 employees and 700 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission- health.org.