Mission Health awards 20 scholarships in honor of Kesha Young
Asheville, N.C. — Mission Health awarded 20 students with the annual Kesha Young Health Careers Scholarship, helping make college more affordable for high school seniors and college students from Western North Carolina who are pursuing careers in healthcare. Scholarship recipients from across the region were recognized during a ceremony held at the HCA Healthcare Center for Clinical Advancement on the Mission Hospital Campus.
“Every patient interaction is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life, and that begins with compassionate, dedicated caregivers,” said Jorie Matijevich, Regional Vice President of Human Resources at Mission Health. “The students receiving the Kesha Young Scholarship have demonstrated not only academic achievement, but also a deep commitment to serving others and improving the health of our communities. We are proud to support these future healthcare professionals as they continue their education and prepare for careers that will have a lasting impact across Western North Carolina.”
The scholarship program began in 1997 and is named in memory of Kesha Young, a young woman who underwent multiple surgeries at Mission Hospital throughout her life due to ongoing medical conditions. According to her adoptive parents, Kesha exemplified the qualities that are essential in healthcare — resilience, compassion, positivity and the ability to bring comfort and encouragement to others.
Mission Health and HCA Healthcare remain focused on strengthening the healthcare workforce and supporting the next generation of caregivers who will serve the region for years to come.
In addition to this long-standing scholarship program, Mission Health supports allied health students at eight colleges and universities in Western North Carolina through the Community Health Scholars program. Mission Health also offers a variety of clinical pathway opportunities, tuition reimbursement options and student loan repayment programs for eligible colleagues. Galen College of Nursing’s Asheville campus further expands opportunities for students pursuing nursing careers, and Mission Health continues to invest annually in faculty support for several nursing programs throughout Western North Carolina.
This year’s scholarship winners are: Bryanna Adams, Katherine Alejo-Palacios, Cassandra Brown, Ma. Danica Julia Canet, Kearah Carson, Aaliyah Diaz Mendez, Kurt (Sabrina) Freeman, Brinkley Hodshon, Sebree Isabell, Jermaria Jones, Cassandra Kagan, Hridoy Kundu, Kimberly Palacios - Lopez, Olivia Powell, Maria Silva Gomez, Dakota Smith, Jaiden Smith, Sharon Um, Easton Whitson, Jenna Worley