Academic Scholarships Awarded to Local Students Pursuing Medical Fields

St. Augustine, FL (July 29, 2020) - The St. Johns County Medical Alliance (SJCMA) and the St. Johns County Medical Society have awarded new scholarships to three students and two students have received continued financial support. The SJCMA awards include new scholarships to St. Johns County high school graduates of Bartram Trail, Creekside and Ponte Vedra High Schools. Ongoing scholars from 2017 and 2019, currently study at Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine and the University of Florida.

 

Michael Guyot will attend the University of Florida, majoring in biomedical engineering and minoring in Spanish language and zoology.

 

Taylor James looks ahead to the University of Michigan and is excited to become a registered nurse and possibly a nurse practitioner.

 

Taylor Thomson will enter the University of Florida where she has been invited to participate in the Undergraduate Scholars Research Program. She plans to enter medical school after studying biomedical engineering with a neuroscience and surgery interest.

 

Monetary awards are also made to former scholarship winners who are continuing studies in medical fields. These awards are given to students who keep in touch with the Alliance and stay on track with their goals. This year, these funds go to Hunter Green who is a third-year student at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine and to Elise Belkin who currently studies at the University of Florida. 


Hunter has added a fellowship year to his studies and a master’s degree focusing on health literacy in rural populations, which has also enabled him to teach classes at his school. This year begins his clinical rotations for a family practice residency. 


Elise is seeking a career in medicine that allows her to work with children with special needs. She has volunteered with Alachua County Public Schools and fundraised for Children's Miracle Network and Ronald McDonald House. She has assisted the St. Augustine Homeless Shelter- COVID-19 Efforts, conducted genomics research with the “Great Florida Spitting Contest” and presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium. She is a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority.

 Each year, the St. Johns County Medical Alliance, in conjunction with the St. Johns County Medical Society, offers academic scholarships to graduating St. Johns County high school seniors pursuing an education in pre-medicine, nursing, or allied health. Scholarship applicants are evaluated on academic ability, school involvement, community service and an interview.

  The St. Johns County Medical Alliance represents spouses of St. Johns County physicians. Its purpose is to promote health education, identify and address health-care needs and issues, participate in health-related legislation, and provide college scholarships to St. Johns County students. Former scholars may apply for continuing awards.  For more information, go to www.sjcma.blogspot.com or on Facebook @SJCMA.