PHILANTHROPY SPOTLIGHT: 22 Space Coast Healthcare Students Receive Scholarships From Brevard Heart Foundation

Brevard Heart Foundation has provided over $750,000 in healthcare and medical scholarships

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA — The Brevard Heart Foundation has selected 22 students from across the Space Coast during their annual scholarship program. These scholarships provide funds given directly to the students to assist with costs related to completing their education as they work towards a healthcare degree or certification.

For many students, these costs can include tuition, textbooks, rent, utilities, and even childcare, as these costs can be barriers to completing an education.

An annual program offered by the nonprofit, the scholarship program is one of the many ways Brevard Heart Foundation invests in the future of quality healthcare in Brevard County, with many previous scholarship recipients returning to or remaining in Brevard to serve their community as doctors, nurses, and physician assistants.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES INCLUDE:

■ Medical Transition Scholarship: Rutva Vora
■ Medical Doctor Scholarship: Bonnie Wilt
■ Physician Assistant Scholarship: Olivia Bergau, Stephanie Cox, Alexa Gallelli, Kara Mineo, Genna White
■ Nursing Merit Award: Daphnee Francois, Kavernya Harvey, Kadene Hewitt, Justin Kitchen, Toccara Maultsby, Alan Spindler
■ Nursing Scholarship Award: Evelyn Brunotte, Ladasha Charles, Synelibeth Garcia-Lugo, Jayden Pace-Cook, Te’a Sepulveda, Mckinzee Vanskyhawk.

Each year, the Foundation also selects a nursing student from Eastern Florida State College who exemplifies the compassion and dedication shown by Nancy Meisenheimer, an amazing nurse who served in Brevard County.

This year’s Nancy Meisenheimer Nursing Award recipient is Stephanie Herrnkind.

Additionally, two other scholarships were created in honor of individuals who have served and made a difference in Brevard healthcare. The Dr. and Mrs. David L Jones Scholarships were awarded to Kari Shaver and Jonathan Wakim, two students making an exceptional impact in the medical field and having hearts for serving others.

The Don Rudolph Scholarship is also new this year and has been awarded to Justin Kitchen for his exemplary dedication to his studies and compassion for his patients.

“Don began his education as a Corpsman in the Navy and went to Nursing school on the GI Bill. He loved being an Operating Room/Emergency Room Nurse, advocating for patients, volunteering in the community, serving on medical mission trips, and was happiest when he was taking care of others,” said Bonnie Rudolph, retired Chief Nursing Officer for Holmes Regional Medical Center.

“I know he would be pleased to see his Foundation sponsor a scholarship so that someone else could enter the career that meant so much to him.”

Since its inception in 1957, the Foundation has provided over $750,000 in healthcare and medical scholarships and is primarily funded through community support.

In addition to the healthcare initiatives they support and scholarship program, the Foundation also recognizes local healthcare professionals making a difference in the community at their Heart of a Hero Gala.  Nominations are now being accepted for the upcoming gala on March 24, 2023, at the Hilton Rialto in Melbourne.

CLICK HERE for more information about the Brevard Heart Foundation, the mission, the scholarship program, or the healthcare awards gala.

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