St. Rita’s to Honor 10 Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Health Partners Scholarship Recipients

(LIMA; May 1, 2017) On Thursday, May 4, St. Rita’s will honor 10 area high school students who were each selected for a Mercy Health–St. Rita’s Health Partners Scholarship. The 2017 Mercy Health–St. Rita’s Health Partners Scholarships celebration will take place at St. Rita’s Auxiliary Conference Center located at 718 W. Market Street Lima, Ohio, 45801 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Earlier this year, area high school seniors were encouraged to apply for one of 10 $1,500 Mercy Health–St. Rita’s Health Partners Scholarships. Nearly 300 applicants across 14 counties applied to receive one of these awards.

“This is the first year we have offered this scholarship opportunity to area high school students,” said Traci Cox, corporate recruitment and business development administrator at St. Rita’s Health Partners. “Seeing the number of qualified applicants, healthcare is a very prevalent and respected field of study. Our community has many career opportunities in healthcare, and if we can provide resources for our young adults to learn and grow, we hope that one day they can take what they learn and bring their services and skills back home.”

Applicants were scored by a panel of judges. While academics certainly played a key role in the selection process, their “This is What I Was Meant to Do” essay score played a large factor as well.

“In healthcare, academics are important, but having the ability to relate to people and provide exceptional service is important too. Each student had a personal story to share. Some had been impacted by someone who works in healthcare, while others may have gone through a health situation and saw firsthand why they wanted to give back. Every story showed empathy, and that’s significant,” Cox said.

During the night of celebration, students will be given a certificate of recognition. Dale Gisi, president at St. Rita’s Health Partners, and Dr. Kevin Casey, chief clinical officer at St. Rita’s Health Partners, will present. Students will also be awarded a glass engraved commemoration at their respective schools’ awards banquet.

St. Rita’s Health Partners looks forward to presenting these awards to these students. The medical center thanks all who applied and looks forward to watching these future healthcare providers grow as professionals.

 About St. Rita’s Health Partners

Since 1918, St. Rita’s Health Partners has been providing quality healthcare to the people of Lima and west central Ohio. More people prefer St. Rita's for medical care than any other hospital in the 10-county region we serve. Our comprehensive high-quality medical services include The Henry & Beverly Hawk Vascular & Heart Center at St. Rita's, St. Rita's Orthopaedic Care Center, trauma and emergency, cancer treatment, women's health, mother/baby, pediatrics, sports medicine and rehabilitation, behavioral health services, homecare and hospice.

As a member of Mercy Health, the largest health system in Ohio and one of the largest health systems in the United States, it is our Mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus by improving the health of our communities. In 2014, St. Rita’s Health Partners invested $42 million in community benefit into the communities where we provide care, most of it targeted to people who are poor and under-served. Together with more than 3,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, we are fulfilling our promise, providing area residents with outstanding health and wellness services and improving the health of the communities we serve. Please visit mercy.com for more information or connect with St. Rita’s Medical Center on Facebook.

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