Three MSJ PA Students Awarded National Scholarships!

January 10, 2025 BY: Haley Codling

Three Mount St. Joseph University Students in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies Have Been Awarded National Scholarships!

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The Department of Physician Assistant Studies is proud to announce that three of its students have been awarded national scholarships. This is a great honor and a testament to the quality and drive of the PA students at the Mount. Please read below to find out more about these three PA students and the national scholarships they were awarded!

 

 

Logan Bradley, PA-S

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  1. Hometown: Colerain Township, Cincinnati, Ohio
  2. Undergrad: B.S. Biomedical Science, Mount St. Joseph University, 2023
  3. Why did you choose the Mount? When I separated from the Navy, I wanted to move closer to home again. MSJ's proximity to home, along with the PA program, were the most impactful aspects of my decision to attend the Mount.
  4. Why the PA Program? I was a Hospital Corpsman (medic) in the Navy. I had the opportunity to learn from some of the best healthcare professionals in the nation. I was able to gain experience and practice medicine in several settings, from being stationed on a guided missile destroyer to serving as a combat corpsman with the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. The Mount's small size and the PA program's spring start time were what ultimately led me to apply for the MSJ PA program.
  5. Expected graduation year: 2026
  6. Briefly describe the application process for the scholarship you were awarded and the criteria. The Veterans Affairs Health Professional Scholarship Program (VA HPSP) is a program designed to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. The program provides full tuition coverage and a monthly stipend for eligible students pursuing degrees in healthcare fields such as nursing, physician assistant studies, or other specialized areas. The scholarship offers substantial financial benefits and a secure post-graduation pathway in the VA healthcare system. 
  7. Service obligations/post-graduation plans? 2-year service commitment with the VA healthcare system.
  8. Provide a brief statement/quote about how you felt when you discovered you were awarded this scholarship. Excited, blessed, and relieved to not have to worry about the cost of tuition and the accumulation of student debt. The scholarship also provides a monthly living stipend.

 

 

Lauren Fuller, PA-S

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  1. Hometown: Hesperia, California
  2. Undergrad: Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in chemistry from Eastern Kentucky University 
  3. Why did you choose the Mount? It was relatively close to where my family lives (in Lexington, KY) and I loved the small- beautiful campus and how supportive the PA Faculty was when I interviewed.
  4. Why the PA Program? I love learning and the PA profession allows you to practice medicine while having lateral mobility, all while having more opportunity to have a balanced personal life, letting me be present for my family. 
  5. Expected graduation year: 2025 
  6. Briefly describe the application process for the scholarship you were awarded and the criteria. To apply, candidates must be enrolled or accepted into an accredited healthcare program and meet specific eligibility criteria, including U.S. citizenship and full-time enrollment. Letters of recommendation and an essay are also part of the application.  Applicants are selected based on academic performance, community service, and a demonstrated commitment to serving underserved populations.
  7. Service obligations/post-graduation plans? Two years of full-time service working in primary care in a Health Professional Shortage Area (generally working with underserved populations in rural, urban, or tribal communities with limited access to quality healthcare, including low-income individuals and those facing socioeconomic barriers to care).
  8. Provide a brief statement/quote about how you felt when you discovered you were awarded this scholarship. I was proud that I was chosen and excited to tell my family; I did not tell anyone in my family I was applying for the scholarship, and I was very excited to share the good news with them, especially my dad who I am super close with. 

 

 

Anthony Papathanas, PA-S

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  1. Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio 
  2. Undergrad: University of Cincinnati, Biology BA
  3. Why did you choose the Mount? Some of my friends had graduated from the PA program and really enjoyed it, I was also very impressed by the staff and how much they truly seemed to care about the success of the students during my interview for the program. 
  4. Why the PA Program? I have always enjoyed learning about the human body and finding a position where I am able to continue learning while helping others seems like a win-win to me. 
  5. Expected graduation year: 2026
  6. Briefly describe the application process for the scholarship you were awarded and the criteria. I had to apply through the VA which required me to do a background check, get three letters of recommendation, a resume, and transcripts from my current program. I applied as a Veteran which helped my chances significantly. 
  7. Service obligations/post-graduation plans? Post-graduation, I will have to work for the VA for at least 2 years. Which is exactly what I hoped to do anyway as a Veteran myself. 
  8. Provide a brief statement/quote about how you felt when you discovered you were awarded this scholarship. "And so, the adventure continues"

 

Congratulations to Logan, Lauren, and Anthony on receiving these prestigious national scholarship awards!

CATEGORIES: School of Health Sciences, Physician Assistant