Book Scholarship Winners

Access to healthcare is essential for maintaining healthy families and strong communities, yet missed medical appointments continue to be a challenge for patients, providers, and health plans. Many individuals miss appointments because of transportation barriers, work obligations, childcare responsibilities, language barriers, or difficulty understanding the importance of preventive care. As a mother of two young children, I understand how challenging it can be to balance family, work, school, and healthcare needs. To address this issue, healthcare organizations should continue expanding appointment reminders through text messages, phone calls, and mobile applications. Transportation assistance, telehealth options, extended clinic hours, and patient education programs can also help reduce missed appointments. By addressing the underlying barriers that patients face, healthcare providers can improve access to care and promote better health outcomes. 

I believe I am a strong candidate for this scholarship because I have demonstrated perseverance, academic dedication, and a commitment to serving others. While raising two young children, I have continued pursuing my educational goals and preparing for a career in nursing. Balancing family responsibilities with rigorous coursework has required discipline, resilience, and determination. I currently maintain a 3.5 GPA and am honored to be a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for community college students. I am also a participant in the Schoenbrodt Scholars Honors Program at Howard Community College. These achievements reflect my commitment to academic excellence and my desire to make a meaningful contribution to the healthcare profession. My goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and become a compassionate nurse who advocates for patients and improves the health of underserved communities. 

The proposed requirement for Medicaid recipients to reapply for benefits every six months instead of annually may create significant challenges for individuals and families, particularly those in underserved and high-risk populations. More frequent renewals increase the likelihood that eligible individuals could lose coverage due to missed paperwork, limited internet access, language barriers, or confusion about the process. Families already facing financial hardship may experience interruptions in healthcare coverage, resulting in missed preventive care, delayed treatment, and difficulty obtaining medications. Children, older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic illnesses could be especially vulnerable to gaps in coverage. These disruptions may ultimately lead to poorer health outcomes and increased healthcare costs due to preventable emergency room visits and hospitalizations. 

Priority Partners has had a meaningful impact on my family by providing reliable healthcare coverage during some of the most important periods of our lives. During both of my pregnancies, Priority Partners ensured that I had access to prenatal care, medical appointments, and essential healthcare services. The coverage also helped support my children’s healthcare needs, including pediatric visits, vaccinations, prescriptions, dental care, and specialist appointments. Knowing that my family had access to these services provided peace of mind and allowed me to focus on maintaining our health and well-being. The support my family received reinforced my appreciation for healthcare accessibility and inspired my desire to pursue nursing. Through my future career, I hope to help others navigate healthcare challenges and advocate for the same quality care and support that my family has received. 

Receiving this scholarship would help me continue my educational journey, reduce financial barriers, and move closer to my goal of becoming a nurse dedicated to serving individuals, families, and communities. I am committed to using my education to improve the lives of others and to give back to the communities that have supported me throughout my journey. 

For a long time, I was the quiet kid in every room, the kid who knew the answer but never said it out loud, the kid who sat in the back of the class and never stepped out of her comfort zone. It wasn’t because I didn’t care about school or because I didn’t have anything to say. I just didn’t think my voice mattered. I spent so much time waiting for something to happen that would make my life feel different. Over time, I realized that if I wanted my story to be special, I had to be the one to make it that way. 

My junior year, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and join student government. It wasn’t something I would’ve normally done, but I cared about my school and wanted to help make it a better place. At first, I was nervous just speaking up in meetings, but the more I showed up, the more I realized I actually enjoyed it. I loved going to conferences, sharing ideas, and working with other students. That experience gave me the confidence to run for Student Government Secretary my senior year. Winning that position showed me that my voice really did matter. 

That experience is one of the biggest reasons I want to become a registered nurse. Nursing isn’t just about treating people when they’re sick. It’s about making people feel heard, cared for, and supported during some of the hardest moments of their lives. I know what it feels like to stay quiet because you don’t think your voice matters, and I never want my future patients to feel that way. 

One challenge a lot of people face is missing doctor’s appointments. I don’t think it’s usually because they don’t care about their health. Life just gets in the way sometimes. Some people don’t have reliable transportation, can’t get time off work, don’t have childcare, or simply forget because they’re juggling so much. I think healthcare providers could help by sending text reminders, offering more flexible appointment times, and helping connect patients with transportation when possible. Even small changes like that could make a significant difference. 

I also think requiring people on Medicaid to reapply every six months instead of every year could make things harder for a lot of families. Missing a deadline or not getting the paperwork in on time could cause someone to lose their health insurance, even if they still qualify. That could mean missing doctor’s appointments, medications, or important treatments. Healthcare should be easier to access, not harder. 

Priority Partners has made a positive impact on my family by making it possible for us to get the healthcare we needed. Having reliable health insurance meant we could go to the doctor when we needed to without worrying as much about the cost. Seeing how important that support is has made me even more excited to become a nurse and hopefully give that same comfort to other families one day. 

I believe I’m a good candidate for this scholarship because I’ve worked hard to grow into someone who isn’t afraid to speak up and help others. Between balancing school, Student Government, work, and preparing for college, I’ve learned how important it is to stay determined and keep pushing myself even when things feel difficult. This scholarship would help me continue working toward my goal of becoming a registered nurse, so I can make a difference in people’s lives the same way others have made a difference in mine. 

Access to healthcare can have a life-changing impact on individuals and families. One challenge that continues to affect healthcare providers, patients, and health plans is missed medical appointments. Patients may miss appointments for many reasons, including lack of transportation, work and school schedules, childcare responsibilities, forgetfulness, or difficulty understanding healthcare information. For some families, simply getting to an appointment can be a challenge. To address this issue, healthcare organizations could provide appointment reminders through phone calls and text messages, offer transportation assistance, expand telehealth services, and improve communication with patients. These solutions would help remove barriers and ensure more people receive the care they need. 

I believe I am a strong candidate for this scholarship because I am committed to my education, determined to overcome challenges, and passionate about creating a better future for myself and others. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at High Point University and have earned a 3.78 GPA. As a student with dyslexia, I have had to work hard to develop effective study habits and persevere through academic challenges that sometimes require me to put in extra time and effort. Rather than allowing these challenges to define me, they have strengthened my resilience and determination to succeed. In addition to being a full-time student, I work as a Customer Service Associate and Cashier at Home Depot. This experience has taught me responsibility, communication, and problem-solving skills while balancing the demands of college coursework. I have also been involved in leadership and community organizations that have helped me develop a passion for service and helping others. Receiving this scholarship would help me purchase textbooks and academic materials, allowing me to focus more of my resources on my education and career goals. 

Although my major is Mechanical Engineering, I am interested in using engineering to improve people’s lives. Engineering plays an important role in healthcare through medical devices, assistive technologies, and innovations that help patients live healthier and safer lives. I hope to use my education to contribute to solutions that make healthcare more effective, accessible, and impactful for communities. 

The new law requiring Medicaid recipients to reapply for benefits every six months instead of every twelve months may create additional difficulties for many families. While the goal may be to keep information up to date, more frequent renewals could increase the risk of individuals losing coverage because of missed deadlines, paperwork issues, or confusion about the process. This could be especially harmful for underserved and high-risk populations who may already face barriers related to transportation, technology, language, or work schedules. Losing healthcare coverage, even temporarily, can result in delayed treatment, missed prescriptions, and worsening health conditions. To reduce these risks, health plans and community organizations should provide reminders, outreach programs, and support services to help people complete the renewal process successfully. 

Priority Partners has had a positive impact on my life by helping me access healthcare services, doctor visits, prescriptions, and other medical care when I needed it. Having reliable health coverage has allowed me to focus on my education and personal growth without worrying about whether I would be able to receive necessary healthcare. The support provided through Priority Partners has contributed to my well-being and has helped me pursue my goals with confidence. I am grateful for the opportunities and resources that Priority Partners provides to individuals and families throughout Maryland. 

Thank you for considering my application. This scholarship would help support my educational journey and bring me one step closer to achieving my goals while continuing to make a positive impact on others and my community. 

Estos son algunos de los fragmentos de su ensayo ganador:

Cuando tenía 11 años, me diagnosticaron la enfermedad de Crohn, la cual sacudió mi vida por completo. Lo que pudo haber sido un golpe devastador para mis sueños se convirtió en un catalizador de mi pasión por la ingeniería biológica y un futuro dedicado a la atención médica y los servicios sociales.

Mi objetivo es generar prácticas agrícolas sostenibles y soluciones de bioingeniería que puedan mejorar los problemas de salud y mitigar el hambre y la desnutrición, en especial en comunidades marginadas.

El compromiso de Priority Partners con la atención médica accesible y de calidad no sólo ha mejorado nuestras vidas, sino que también me ha inspirado a seguir una carrera con la que puedo contribuir para lograr resultados positivos similares para los demás.

Estoy comprometido con abordar los determinantes sociales de la salud y mejorar la salud pública a través de soluciones innovadoras e iniciativas comunitarias. Al inspirarme en el impacto positivo que produjeron organizaciones como Priority Partners, me siento seguro para crear un futuro más saludable y más equitativo para todos.

Estos son algunos de los fragmentos de su ensayo ganador:

Como mujer negra y futura médica, la salud pública es un conjunto de conocimientos que se entrecruzará con cualquier especialidad que elija. Creo que es mi responsabilidad aprovechar mi posición a fin de asegurarme de que me preparo para ayudar a evitar problemas recurrentes.

Mi objetivo como médica también es hacer hincapié en la educación para la salud y la reducción de daños, ya que son los primeros pasos para tener un mejor estilo de vida. Concientizar a los más afectados acerca de los pasos necesarios para mejorar es fundamental, ya sea que se logre mediante vacunas, prácticas sexuales seguras o el acceso a alimentos saludables.

Priority Partners me ha ayudado a mantener un nivel de atención superior pese a mis ingresos limitados mientras estaba en la facultad, lo que me facilitó que continúe con mis citas tal como estaban programadas.

Para mí, ser médica es mucho más que llevar «MD» al lado de mi nombre.

Estos son algunos de los fragmentos de su ensayo ganador:

Mientras crecía en una comunidad de bajos ingresos, fui testigo de los problemas que sufren las personas para acceder a los servicios esenciales de atención médica. Estas experiencias me despertaron un fuerte deseo de lograr un impacto positivo en el sistema de atención médica, en especial para las comunidades marginadas.

En definitiva, mi objetivo es convertirme en una enfermera registrada que no sólo se destaque en la práctica clínica, sino que también defienda a los pacientes y promueva la equidad en la atención médica.

Las alianzas entre proveedores de atención médica, gobiernos locales y organizaciones comunitarias son fundamentales para abordar problemas como la inseguridad alimentaria, las condiciones inadecuadas de vivienda y la falta de transporte; ya que todo ello impacta en gran medida en los resultados sanitarios. Al trabajar juntos, podemos generar un ambiente más propicio que promueva el bienestar general.

La tranquilidad que siento cuando sé que tengo una cobertura de atención médica confiable no tiene precio, ya que me permite enfocarme en otros aspectos importantes de mi vida.

Estos son algunos de los fragmentos de su ensayo ganador:

Soy inmigrante de primera generación y he tenido el honor de asistir a la universidad y estudiar enfermería, que siempre ha sido la profesión de mis sueños. Seré la primera de mi familia ampliada en asistir y graduarse en la universidad.

Mi meta con la que sueño es servir a mi comunidad en el área de la atención médica como enfermera registrada latina. Como enfermera bilingüe, derribaré obstáculos y les daré a los pacientes la confianza de que reciben la mejor atención médica disponible.

Mi hermana, una niña autista de once años de edad, ha podido recibir ayuda médica y ha obtenido servicios de fisioterapia y fonoaudiología gracias a nuestra cobertura de Priority Partners. Sin la cobertura de Priority Partners, no hubiese podido caminar ni progresar con sus capacidades del habla.

Durante mi paso por la universidad, pude enfocarme en mis estudios y preocuparme menos por la imposibilidad de encontrar una atención adecuada cuando me enfermaba. ¡Sé que Priority Partners me protege siempre!