Academic
Scholarships Awarded to Local Students Pursuing Medical Fields
Each year, the St. Johns County Medical Alliance (SJCMA), in
conjunction with the St. Johns County Medical Society, offer 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 2024 new scholarships have been awarded to four St. Johns County
high school graduates of St. Augustine High School, Beachside High School, Creekside
High School, and Tocoi Creek High School.
This year’s scholars include:
Elyse Bernthal, graduating in top 3% of St. Augustine
High School and heading to the University of Florida, hopes to one day
specialize in Pediatrics or Psychiatry. She is an AICE Diploma graduate, a STAR
award recipient, and received the American Youth Character Award the last two
years. She sails and swims competitively, instructing both and has been
inspired to work with children through volunteering with HorsePlay Therapy.
Jay Dalvi graduated
number three in his class from Beachside High School. He plans medical school
and practice to include academic medicine. He is president & founder of a bone marrow
donor center and HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America). He is a champ in
Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making at county and state levels and top 10 at
international competition with DECA (Distributive Clubs of America). He is a
Link Crew leader and has three track varsity letters.
Jay received the SJCMA-sponsored first place
award, in medicine and health category, in the regional science fair and is a
Mayo Clinic SPARK Research Scholar: Investigating the role of CD38
Inhibition and NR on CD38, Inflammation, and Cellular Senescence Levels in Mice
with Diet-induced Obesity. He volunteers as a medical assistant intern and
medical transporter. During the summer, he has volunteered in a Peru health
clinic and children’s camp. He has assisted the Florida Department of Health
and a UF epidemiologist to raise awareness for opioid abuse in adolescents. This
summer, he will obtain his CNA certification.
Joe Palsha is the valedictorian from Creekside High School and heads to the University of Miami. He dreams of one day practicing
neurosurgery. Summa Cum Laude, he received his AA degree this year as well. He
is co-captain of the cross-country track team and on the varsity team since
2022. He is a leader for and volunteers with Best Buddies. Involvement includes
Phi Theta Kappa, English, Hispanic and National Honor Societies. He volunteers
with UF Health Neuroscience, the VA Hospital in Virginia and at Hunt Club Farm
as a camp volunteer.
Nicole Zhang, valedictorian of Tocoi Creek High School, heads to the University of
Florida. A member of Health Occupation Students of America, she already has her
EKG Technician certification, interns at the hospital, and volunteers with
Brooks Rehabilitation. A second-place winner in forensic science competition,
she is founder of International Student Association at her school,
Vice-president of National Honor Society, and member of the National Science
Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta,
The SJCMA
represents spouses of St. Johns County physicians with a purpose to promote
health education, recognize physicians on Doctors Day, fund science fair awards
in Medicine and Health categories, help support community health needs, and
provide college scholarships to St. Johns County
students.
Former scholars, who are continuing studies in medical fields and
keep in touch with the Alliance, may apply for continuing awards. Deadline for those applications is July 1, 2024.
For more information, go to www.sjcma.blogspot.com or on Facebook @SJCMA .
