Empowered at Adtalem: Fall 2024 Scholarship Recipients

Over 120 Adtalem students were offered an Empower Scholarship last fall. Hear their stories, inspirations and aspirations for their healthcare journeys.

Nearly half of the Empower Scholarship Fund’s recipients are first-generation college students. About one-third are single parents. In fall 2024, almost 70% identified as a person of color.

Every recipient has a unique story that has brought them to the path toward healthcare at one of Adtalem’s institutions. Let’s meet them.

Improving Patient Care Through Research

Hada Fongha Leong is a sailor in the United States Navy and pursuing her medical degree as a first-generation student at Ross University School of Medicine, where she received the Alumni Association Scholarship. “My time in the military has given me a unique perspective on the health challenges faced by military personnel and veterans, particularly in the areas of mental health, pain management and primary care.”

I aim to bridge the gap between research and patient care by integrating my research in neuroscience with clinical care, focusing on mental health and pain management for military personnel and underserved communities.

Answering Your Call to Nursing

Joseph Vergel has felt called to nursing and is fulfilling his dream at Chamberlain University. 

“When I think about why I chose nursing, it always comes down to a deep-rooted love for helping others. I’ve always been moved by the idea that a single moment of kindness can change a person’s day, and in nursing, I see the chance to be that for someone every day.”

To me, nursing isn’t just a job; it’s a calling that fulfills me in ways words can’t fully capture. Knowing that my actions, no matter how small, can ease someone’s pain or bring them comfort gives my life meaning and purpose.

Becoming a Champion of Change

As a Black woman, LaShonda Pena has felt called to become a physician so that she can be a champion of change in the healthcare system for minority populations. She pursues her dream at American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine where she earned the Alumni Legacy Scholarship as the first in her family to attend college.  

“I aim to be a part of the movement that addresses these disparities head-on, advocating for women’s rights and working to ensure that underserved populations receive the quality of care they deserve.”

I have witnessed firsthand how socio-economic status, race, gender, and inequities play a significant role in the quality of care that people receive. Black women tend to face a unique set of challenges such as a higher rate of maternal mortality and reproductive disparities, all of which are exacerbated by systemic barriers.

Championing Outreach and Education

John Grose is recipient of the Banfield Scholarship and the first in his family to attend college at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. At home in British Columbia and on Canadian First Nations reserves, he’s witnessed firsthand the importance of community outreach and education. “My experiences have taught me that veterinary medicine is not just about treating animals; it’s about serving the communities that care for them.”

I envision creating a welcoming environment where pet owners feel comfortable seeking veterinary advice and where the focus is on education, preventive care, and collaborative efforts to improve animal health. By bridging the gap, I aim to make a lasting impact on the field of reproductive medicine and help foster healthier, more informed breeding practices.

A Source for Inspiration

Candace Toriz is a single mother pursuing her clinical mental health counseling degree at Walden University. The Education for Good Scholarship is keeping her on a path to becoming an inspiration for her children and many others.

This scholarship means more than words can fully express. It’s not only an invaluable aid in my journey to becoming a clinical mental health counselor but also an encouragement that reminds me of the importance of giving back, just as Empower has done for me. I hope to inspire others by embodying self-actualization and being a person they can look up to.

The Empower Scholarship Fund has offered nearly 3,000 scholarships since 2016, totaling more than $5.5 million.

Meet More Empower Scholarship Recipients

More Empower Scholarship recipients from fall 2024 are introduced in the gallery below. Sort by institution or scroll through each to be inspired by the aspiring healthcare providers overcoming barriers to pursue their career goals.

For more information, email the Adtalem Global Communications Team: adtalemmedia@adtalem.com.