Bothwell Foundation Awards Medical Career Scholarships to 4 Area Students

The Bothwell Foundation recently awarded Medical Careers Scholarships to four local students.

The recipients include: Ryan Akin of Sedalia, Cade Chiles of Warsaw, Alyson Shaw of Sedalia, and Rachel Ulbrich of Marshall. According to a press release from BRHC Foundation, each student receives a $500 scholarship from the Bothwell Foundation, with an additional $500 in matching funds from the Health Services Group Foundation.

Ryan Akin graduated from Baker University this May and graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in 2013. He plans to attend the University of Missouri School of Medicine in July.  Akin has job shadowed in general surgery, emergency care, cardiology, radiology and sports medicine. “My life goal is to figure out what field I can be most beneficial in and impact the lives of others around me in Sedalia,” he said.

Cade Chiles graduated from Warsaw High School in May and will begin the physician’s assistant program at State Fair Community College in August. Chiles completed the emergency medical technician course at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital this past winter and plans to work in a hospital or with a local ambulance service during college to gain additional medical experience.

In his essay, Chiles said he had a passion and commitment to work in the medical field due to the care of his mother. His mother was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in 2012. “The opportunity to apply learning for ‘real world’ situations, to develop an understanding of goals, processes and current issues through college life, work and collaboration, will prepare me to help make a difference in the lives of others,” he said.

Alyson Shaw graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in May. She plans to attend Missouri State University and major in biochemistry with a pre-med focus. Shaw participated in the Bothwell Regional Health Center Medical Explorers program for high school juniors and seniors who are considering a career in health care

Rachel Ulbrich graduated from Sacred Heart High School in May. Ulbrich, who currently lives in Marshall, plans to attend Washington University’s pre-medicine program. According to her essay, Ulbrich is motivated to work in the medical field.  “Since a young age, I have understood that I was affected by Poland syndrome,” she said. “This condition required that I meet many doctors and professionals who had the potential to make me fearful of future treatments and surgeries. Instead, they fostered my interest in science, and never hid details from me because I was too young. They exposed me to a future career that I had not yet considered.”

The press release states that the Bothwell Foundation established the Medical Careers Scholarship to encourage students who are interested in pursuing a health-related field. The foundation seeks to reward high-achieving students, and help them with the expenses of post-secondary education.