President and CEO Dean Teague; CalvertHealth Board of Director representative Terri Wolfley and Foundation Board of Trustees Lynette Entzian, Chair; Brian Martin, Brian Lazarchick, Mike Cox, Anne Marie Marcella and Lisa Garner, pose with this yearโ€™s scholarship recipients.

Prince Frederick, MD โ€“ย The CalvertHealth Foundation recently awarded scholarships to 25 students pursuing higher education in an allied health or medical field. The students were honored in a ceremony held this summer. Since the program began in 1991, it has awarded more than 425 scholarships totaling $540,000 in student assistance.

Theresa Johnson, Executive Director for the Foundation, said, โ€œOur 2018 scholarship recipients are a group of extraordinary individuals. We are proud to have such a diverse group of people interested in health care, some pursuing advancement in their careers and others who are in the beginning of their educational journey.โ€ This yearโ€™s group included 23 students from Calvert County and two from St. Maryโ€™s County. Although the majority of students are pursuing careers in nursing, others are working toward their educational goals in physical therapy and dentistry. Foundation Board Chair Lynette Entzian said,โ€ The Foundation is proud to award more than $65,000 in scholarships this year to local students who have worked hard to earn this award.โ€

Among the recipients was Carleigh Bartholomew who gave a moving speech at the reception. Bartholomew, a graduate of Calvert High School, suffered a traumatic brain injury in the summer of 2016 when playing around with friends directly after her graduation. Following the accident Bartholomew went through a series of doctorsโ€™ appointments. She had difficulty remembering names and speaking simple phrases. After months of physical therapy and a will to succeed, Bartholomew has persevered. As she states, โ€œItโ€™s not always the cards youโ€™re dealt, but how you play the hand.โ€ Bartholomew has played her cards well. At the ceremony where students received their awards and accolades, Bartholomew stood before the group and spoke eloquently for a full 10 minutes whereas years before, she had trouble stringing together three words. Her experience inspired her to pursue an education in nursing at Stevenson University. She said, โ€œBy pursuing a degree in nursing, I will be able to help others. I was in that exact seat once as a patient; I can relate to the pains and emotions theyโ€™re feeling, thatโ€™s special.โ€

โ€œEach one of our scholarship recipients has a story about what motivated them to enter into health care,โ€ said Board Chair Lynette Entzian. โ€œWe are grateful and honored that each of you have chosen a career in the healthcare field. Your efforts, your innovation, and your hard work are to be celebrated and rewarded,โ€ Entzian concluded.

The 2018 scholarship recipients are Carleigh Bartholomew , Stevenson University, Nursing; Taylor Bowen, York College of PA, Nursing; MaryBrooke Burval, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Medical Degree; McKenzie Copsey, College of Southern MD, Nursing; Amanda Curran, Stevenson University, Nursing; Adam Davis, Salus University, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Doctor of Optometry; Elizabeth Duncan, College of Southern MD, Nursing; Erin Farley, Chamberlain College of Nursing, Masters in Nursing Leadership; Ashley Farrell, York College of PA, Nursing; Pamela Farrell, Salisbury University, Nursing; Martina Greene, College of Southern MD, Physical Therapist Assistant; Tara Grover, Salisbury University, Nursing; Leianna Haines, College of Southern MD, Nursing; Meagan Hance, Salisbury University, Nursing; Kaitlyn Hilgenberg, College of Southern MD, Nursing; Emily McGuigan, Keuka College, Occupational Therapy; Lara Roseto, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Dentistry; Katherine Schleicher, Salisbury University, Nursing; Samantha Simms, College of Southern MD, Nursing; Kristina Sproul, Grand Canyon University, Nursing; Shelby Stockett, Stevenson University, Nursing; Josephine Trahan, College of Southern MD, Nursing; Danielle Weller-Roche, University of Phoenix Masters in Science of Nursing/ Education; Meghan Whittington, York College of PA, Nursing and Victoria Wolf, UMB School of Pharmacy, Pharm.D.

For more information, contact the Foundation office at 410.414.4570.