OUR PROGRAMS PA students receive scholarship and commit to serving in a Health Professional Shortage Area after graduation

Sixteen Campbell University Physician Assistant (PA) students received scholarships through the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program (NHSC SP). The NHSC SP awards scholarships to students pursuing eligible primary care health professions training. In return, scholars commit to provide at least two years of full-time service in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) at an approved NHSC site.

The ideal candidate is dedicated to primary care, working in an underserved area, and interested in loan repayment or scholarship assistance. Students must be U.S. citizens, enrolled full-time in an eligible discipline at an accredited institution, eligible for federal employment, and have no existing service obligation. Scholarship funds can go toward tuition and eligible fees as well as living expenses.

Quinton Ray Edwards (’24 MPAP/MSPH Candidate) noted, “I grew up in a rural underserved area, which has fueled my drive to give back. I started by working as a paramedic in Harnett County. The day I arrived on campus, Campbell increased my passion for rural underserved areas through the mission work and advocacy projects that I have participated in. I am now in the Campbell PA program working on my third degree from the University. Receiving the NHSC scholarship removed the stress of paying for PA school and will allow me to work with a population of patients who I truly love.”

This scholarship reinforces Campbell’s mission to train students to serve in rural and underserved areas. After graduation the new providers will serve in a designated geographic region, with a specific population of people, or at an HPSA facility. Assignments are determined based on the needs of the NHSC.

“I am honored and excited to have received the NHSC scholarship,” said MacKinsey “Mac” Johnson (’24 MPAP Candidate). “As a native of a rural mountain town, I have seen how provider shortages affect people on a very personal level. It is my dream to one day return to my hometown to practice as a provider in women’s health and hopefully give back to a wonderful community that nurtured me into the person I am today. My time at Campbell thus far has only further ignited my passion for rural health, and I really appreciate Campbell’s dedication to its students and community.”

Last year the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded almost 1,200 scholarships, which was a “fourfold increase” in the NHSC. This year, nine first-year College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences PA students were awarded the scholarship. This is 20% of the class! Six recipients were secondyear PA students.

Dual degree student Taylor Creighton (’23 MPAP/MSPH Candidate) shared, “Receiving the NHSC scholarship has been a huge blessing! PA school is emotionally and mentally stressful by itself so not having to worry about paying for school is an immense weight off my shoulders. For many of us who received the scholarship, we already had the desire to work in underserved populations. And now, we are able to work in an underserved population without worrying about paying off loans. Truly, this scholarship is making an impact in our lives that will last for years, and we are all so grateful for it.”

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS:

• Mr. Taylor A. Braswell (2nd year)

• Ms. Olivia M. Bruff (2nd year)

• Ms. Taylor W. Creighton (2nd year)

• Miss Hannah C. Jonas (2nd year)

• Ms. Olivia M. Talarico (2nd year)

• Ms. Abigail L. Avery (2nd year)

• Miss Auburn A. Morgan (1st year)

• Ms. Areesha A. Khan (1st year)

• Mr. Benjamin L. Jorgensen (1st year)

• Miss Claudia N. Altman (1st year)

• Mr. Quinton R. Edwards (1st year)

• Miss Mallory T. Cain (1st year)

• Ms. Gabrielle N. Neill (1st year)

• Miss Hailey W. Cochran (1st year)

• Ms. MacKinsey D. Johnson (1st year)

Physician Assistant Program Chair & Director Betty Lynne W. Johnson remarked, “We are powerfully moved by these outstanding scholarship recipients and their commitment to primary care in underserved communities. They are all shining examples of what it means to fully embrace the Campbell PA core value of serving the underserved.”