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 .