The 2023 Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Scholarship Program is now accepting applications. This opportunity is for high school seniors graduating in the spring of 2023. Twelve $1,500 scholarships will be given to students in the Lima, Ohio region who are interested in pursuing careers in the medical field.
In addition to being awarded financial support, students will be connected with some of our team members at Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center and invited to attended special events as well as activities related to health care during their collegiate career.
“Over the past few years, the health care industry has faced many unprecedented challenges, but staffing challenges may be the most critical of all,” Ronda Lehman, president of our Lima market, shares. “St. Rita’s Medical Center is proud to offer this program to not only recognize young individuals in our community, but to also create inroads with area students who may become the future of health care. Health care is truly a calling, and we look forward to fostering those who have an interest in pursuing careers in the field.”
We spoke with Madison Zimmerly (pictured above), a freshman at Ohio State University, to learn about what her experience as a recipient of the 2022 St. Rita’s scholarship.
“I have known since I was very young that I wanted to pursue medicine. My mom and younger brother have been the biggest inspirations for me.
My mom is a nurse, and my younger brother was born with a chromosomal translocation, giving him multiple handicaps. I have always taken great pride in being a big sister and I aspire to change the way people with disabilities live for the better. While our modern medicine is nothing short of a miracle, I believe we can conquer so much more in my lifetime.
And, I want to take part in the change.
Receiving this scholarship with its connections to my aspiring career is an honor and a privilege. The opportunities this scholarship has brought me have allowed me to job shadow and intern at St. Rita’s. It has also connected me with a summer job in health care while I continue my education.
I am currently majoring in biochemistry at OSU with minors in neuroscience and molecular genetics. Following my completion of my undergraduate degree, I plan to pursue a career in pharmaceutical development and laboratory science.
As a scholarship recipient, I have formed many relationships with team members at St. Rita’s Medical Center and now have the opportunity to work in the laboratories in the hospital this summer. Without this scholarship, I would never have gotten the opportunity to have this experience so early in my college career.
I am so excited to work in the lab this summer and gain experience as well as insight to my future career. Also, it is an opportunity to fine-tune the focus I wish to pursue.
I would encourage anyone in the Lima area with an interest in the medical field and related sciences to apply for this scholarship!
How do I apply?
The deadline for St. Rita’s Scholarship Program submissions is 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24.
To be considered for the 2023 scholarship, students must fill out the official application, provide their official high school transcript including ACT scores and submit a one- to two-page essay responding to this statement: “Why I believe that this is what I was meant to do.” Be sure to include your name at the top of each page.
Complete application packets may be mailed to the address on the application or dropped off at the main desk at the entrance of St. Rita’s Medical Center, 730 W. Market St., Lima, OH 45801. Contact Beth Keehn at BAKeehn@mercy.com with any questions.
Learn about the health care services we offer at Mercy Health.
