Southcoast Health Ambassadors Grant Scholarships to 18 Area Students

At a June 14 luncheon at Rachel’s Lakeside in Dartmouth, the Southcoast Health Ambassadors granted $1,000 scholarships to 18 area students who will be pursuing higher education in health-related fields beginning in September.

The Southcoast Health Ambassadors is a Southcoast Health tax-exempt, non-profit public charity formed in 2021 when the Charlton Memorial Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliaries and the Tobey Hospital Guild joined. The Southcoast Ambassadors continue the long history that the Auxiliaries and Guild had serving patients and the community, dating back more than 65 years. The Ambassadors assist patients and the South Coast Region by supporting patient services, developing partnerships within the community to strengthen outreach, promoting healthcare careers through scholarships, supporting our gift shops and much more.

In remarks to the more than 100 volunteer “ambassadors,” contributors, students, parents and others, Dr. Ray Kruger, Southcoast Health President and CEO, congratulated the scholarship recipients, the individuals and business who contributed to make the scholarships available, and the Ambassador Scholarship Committee. In speaking to the students and their parents directly, Dr. Kruger said, “Your dedication to school, your academic success, and your commitment to community service and other activities are why you are here today. You should be proud of your accomplishments. We are fortunate to have you, and young adults like you, to help lead the way in the future. To the parents of these bright young scholarship recipients, I know you must be so proud right now, and you should be. You raised them well, and the best is yet to come.”

Students receiving a 2022 scholarship on behalf of Charlton Memorial Hospital:

· Jason Arruda from Swansea is a graduate of Joseph Case High School. He is the recipient of the BayCoast Bank Scholarship. Jason will be attending the University of Rhode Island in the pharmacy program.
· Soleei Guasp from Fall River is a graduate of Durfee High School. She is the recipient of the Dr. Aimee Maalouf Memorial Scholarship. Nicole will be attending Harvard University and follow a career path in computational medicine/biology.
· Nicole Ledwidge from Somerset is a graduate of Somerset Berkley High School. She is the recipient of the Rev. Robert Lawrence Memorial Scholarship. She will be attending the UMass Amherst to study nursing.
· Laura Martel from Westport is a graduate of Westport High School. She is receiving the Ann Petrella Memorial Scholarship. Laura will be attending Husson University to study occupational therapy.
· Alexandra Parent from Lakeville is a graduate of Apponequet High School. She is the recipient of the Frederick McDonald Memorial Scholarship. Alexandra will be attending McGill University where she will be a pre-med major.
· Caleb Procaccini from Lakeville is a graduate of Apponequet High School. He is the recipient of the Grimshaw-Gudewicz Charitable Foundation Scholarship. Caleb will be attending Colgate University where he plans to study biology.

Students receiving a 2022 scholarship on behalf of St. Luke’s Hospital:

· Keely Clapp from New Bedford is a graduate of Greater New Bedford Regional Vocation Technical High School. She is the recipient of the Rock Funeral Home Scholarship. Keely will be attending the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, and follow a career path in nursing.
· Sydney Demers from New Bedford is a graduate of Bishop Stang High School. She is the recipient of the Sean Gannon Memorial Scholarship. She will be attending Roger Williams University and follow a career path in biology and veterinary medicine.
· Sarah Lopes from Dartmouth is a graduate of New Bedford Regional Vocation Technical High School. She is the recipient of the Ann Porter Memorial Scholarship. Sarah will be attending St. Anselm’s College and follow a career path in nursing.
· Lauren Novo from Dartmouth is a graduate of Dartmouth High School. She is the recipient of the Dr. Richard H. Warburton Memorial Scholarship. Lauren plans to attend Emmanuel College and follow a career path in biology and pre-med.
· Astha Patel from Fairhaven is a graduate of Fairhaven High School. She is the recipient of the BayCoast Bank Scholarship. Astha will be attending the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and follow a career path in Pre-Med and plans on becoming a physician’s assistant.
· Emma Tetrault from Dartmouth is a graduate of Dartmouth High School. She is the recipient of the Southcoast Behavioral Scholarship. Emma will be attending George Washington University and follow a career path in psychology.

Students receiving a 2022 scholarship on behalf of Tobey Hospital:

· William Baltz from Marion is a graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School. He is the recipient of the Bay Coast Bank Scholarship. William will be attending UC-Davis, on a pre-med track to follow a career in medicine.
· Nora Barmashi from Sagamore Beach is a graduate of Bourne High School. She is the recipient of the Braitmayer Family Scholarship. Nora will be attending the University of New England with a major in applied exercise science with a pre-physician assistant track.
· Chloe Hogan from Bourne is a graduate of Wareham High School. She is the recipient of the Leonard P. ‘Lenny’ Martone Memorial Scholarship. Chloe will be attending UMass Amherst, majoring in nursing.
· Isabella Hunt from Mattapoisett is a graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School. She is the recipient of the Paul John Coffey Scholarship. Isabella will be attending Quinnipiac University to study physical therapy.
· Megan Kavaleski from Middleboro is a graduate of Middleboro High School. She is the recipient of the Dorothy E. Rasmussen Memorial Scholarship. Meagan will be attending the University of Rhode Island and majoring in psychology.
· Maria Psichopaidas from Mattapoisett is a graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School. She is the recipient of the Wylde Family Scholarship. She will be attending Sacred Heart University, majoring in nursing.

“Becoming a Southcoast Health Ambassador is a very meaningful way to become involved in the community and our hospitals,” said Kimberley Coon, Executive Director of Hospital and Medical Staff Services.

“Becoming a Southcoast Ambassador is nice way to give back and meet caring people of all ages and walks of life,” said Jenn Szabo, Manager of the Southcoast Ambassadors and Gift Shops. “We engage in many types of fulfilling activities and initiatives. Much personal growth and fulfillment comes from helping the young, aged and those who may be less fortunate or experiencing an illness. Ambassadors also receive discounts at our Gift Shops!”

Anyone interested in becoming a Southcoast Health Ambassador and helping to serve their local community hospital may contact Jennifer Szabo at 508-973-5752 or SzaboJ@southcoast.org or Kimberley Coon at 508-973-5006 or CoonK@southcoast.org.