News

Star Community Health has awarded $1,000 scholarships to six high school seniors from the Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton Area school districts. The scholarships will assist recipients in funding their continuing education.

The recipients were chosen from one-page essays they submitted on the question: Why does education matter to my health? Applicants also had to submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or community leader.

The winners are:

• Briana Figueroa of Freedom High School in Bethlehem who will attend Northampton Community College.

• Julie Medaska of Liberty High School in Bethlehem who is undecided which college she will attend.

• Trevor Martucci also of Liberty High School who will attend Penn State University.

• Raquel Medina Lora of William Allen School District who will attend Moravian University.

• Maryana Memari of Dieruff High School in Allentown who will attend DeSales University.

• And Wajiha Saba also of Dieruff who will attend Penn State.

The scholarship recipients also will have the opportunity to participate in a weeklong shadowing experience at one of Star Community Health’s health centers this summer. Students will be able to shadow healthcare leaders, providers and frontline personnel, said Mark Roberts, Executive Director.

“Awarding these scholarships and offering the winners the opportunity to shadow a health care professional fits with our commitment to provide top-quality patient care and support the community,” Roberts said. “Star Community Health understands the importance of education and how that can affect long-term health outcomes. Higher education can increase access to career opportunities leading to better health and quality of life.”

This is the first year Star Community Health is awarding seniors scholarships. The essay contest was open to any high school senior in the Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton Area school districts who plans to attend a two- or four-year college.

Students were presented their scholarships at their respective high schools.

Star Community Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike (FQHC-LA) with 13 practices and four mobile dental units, serving over 45,000 patients and counting.  The scholarship program was started in celebration of Star Community Health’s five-year anniversary as an FQHC-LA.