Mission Health is making college more affordable for high school seniors and college students from Western North Carolina who are pursuing careers in health care. Twenty-one scholarships totaling $50,000 were recently awarded through the Kesha Young Health Careers Scholarship program.
The scholarship is named in honor of Kesha Young, a 22-year-old, biracial woman who was born with mental and physical disabilities and underwent multiple surgeries at Mission Hospital. Kesha died just months before she was scheduled to earn her high school diploma. Despite being in constant pain and confined to a wheelchair, Kesha was described by her adoptive parents as embodying the characteristics that are vital to how health care team members engage with patients, families and visitors, with a strong spirit, warm smile and positive encouragement.
The scholarships, which aim to help further the students’ educational and professional development in health care and grow future Mission Health team members, help with tuition, books and expenses. In addition, members of the Mission Health team serve as mentors to the students as they embark on their careers.
Mission recently held a reception in honor of scholarship recipients, with leaders and staff on hand to celebrate their success.
Photograph: Awardees of the Kesha Young Health Careers Scholarship program, from left to right: Michelle Lanza, Isaac Manley, Alisha Patrick, Megan Farlow, Michael Penland, Jayda Hart, Carson Jones, Adriana Alvarez, Keshia Benavides, Madison McGlohon, Alma Leyva Chavez, and Ceecret Allen.