For the past 20 years, physicians associated with Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare have been giving back to their communities in the form of college scholarships. To date they have provided a total of $223,000 in scholarship money to deserving young senior high school students.
This year the JHSMH medical staff will award 12 scholarships, $3,000 each. Applicants are asked to submit an essay and to provide information about their academic achievements, family demographics, community service and teacher recommendations.
The scholarship program began in 1991 as a Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital medical staff initiative, in which member dues went towards creating one-time scholarships for area high school seniors. In 1992, they awarded the first scholarship and several years later voluntarily increased their dues to fund more scholarships.
“This is our way to give back to the communities we serve that place so much trust in us each day,” said Dr. Robert Jacob, chairman of the scholarship committee and orthopedist with Jefferson Medical Associates, a member of Jewish Physician Group. “As physicians we hope to inspire our youth to do great things with their future.”
With the 2005 merger of Jewish Hospital HealthCare Services and CARITAS Health Services, both medical staffs came together to offer up dues towards scholarships, and expanded their reach to all students in Jefferson County and parts of Bullitt and Oldham Counties, which are in the primary service areas of the affiliated physicians.
Dr. Jacob reported on a survey sent to scholarship recipients a couple of years ago, saying several of them stated the scholarship was a critical part of their ability to attend college. “Our entire medical staff is excited to help provide our young people this start,” said Dr. Jacob.
To request an application packet, students or teachers may contact the Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare Medical Staff Office located at 1850 Bluegrass Ave, by calling 361-6652. Completed applications and essays should be returned to the office by April 1.