July 2010
SFM Announces Our Scholarship Winners For 2010.
For the sixth year now, Sound Family Medicine has awarded scholarships to local high school students. All recipients are patients of Sound Family Medicine, and special consideration was given to those applicants planning to pursue a career in a healthcare-related field.
This year we have found five worthy high school seniors. Naomi Estrada from Emerald Ridge High School, Morgan Heimuli from Rogers High School, Samantha Houghton from Puyallup High School, Samantha Martin from Graham-Kapowsin High School, and Alexandrea Ronnfeldt from Bonney Lake High School received scholarships at their high schools’ awards ceremonies. We attended these ceremonies in order to see the many special young adults, ready to go forth on their own as college freshmen this fall. Each scholarship recipient is an excellent student who is extremely involved in our community.
In addition to the local high school seniors that were selected, we also awarded one SFM employee with a scholarship for her continuing education. Tami Bass was selected for her outstanding dedication to her work at SFM.
Naomi Estrada will be attending Saint Martin’s University, where she will major in biology as she works toward her dream of becoming an anesthesiologist. Naomi says her decision to go into the medical field has been strengthened by watching her family’s increased experience with medical providers over the past few years. While attending Emerald Ridge High School, Naomi volunteered at Good Samaritan hospital as a patient advocate, and was also involved with the YMCA and church group activities. In her volunteer activities, Naomi says she learned about the importance of being a team player and giving back to the community.
Morgan Heimuli will be attending Central Washington University in the fall, enrolling in the pre-chiropractic program. When she was young, she was in a car accident and was inspired by her chiropractor. While at Rogers High School, she was involved in track and church group, and received several academic awards. During her junior year, Morgan volunteered as a sixth grade camp counselor and says that she cherished the opportunity to be a role model for the young girls.
Samantha Houghton will be attending Pierce Community College, where she plans to complete pre-requisites for the nursing program. Samantha chose a career in nursing because of her enjoyment of the sciences. At Puyallup High School, Samantha was involved in ASB and with the Viking Ladies, and was a camp counselor several times. Samantha says that being responsible for leading a group of young girls towards the right path in life was a very touching experience.
Samantha Martin will be attending Tacoma Community College in the fall, and plans to enroll in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program there. She chose this career because it will allow her to fulfill her desire to help people. While at Graham-Kapowsin High School, Samantha played track and basketball, and volunteered at local food banks. She also participated in the S.A.D.D. program to create awareness of the dangers of drugs and drinking, and she also helped form a GKHS team for the American Cancer Society’s ‘Relay for Life.’ Samantha feels very passionate about fundraising for the ACS after watching friends and loved ones battle cancer.
Alexandrea Ronnfeldt will be attending Washington State University, majoring in nursing. She would like to pursue a career in a children’s hospital, working with high-risk youth because she has a desire to make a difference in children’s lives. While attending Bonney Lake High School, Alexandrea was a member of the golf team and key club, and was involved in fundraising activities for organizations such as the YMCA, Ronald McDonald House and St Jude’s Hospital. She is thankful for the opportunity to have a positive impact on peoples’ lives, making them feel important and valued, as individuals and as members of the community.
Tami Bass is the accounting specialist at Sound Family Medicine and will be enrolling at the University of Washington’s Tacoma campus in order to work towards her goal of receiving her bachelor’s degree in business accounting. Her continuing education has allowed her to grow professionally, and has helped her department continue to excel.
Typically, we award two scholarships every year to our SFM employees. Sadly, this year we lost one of our employees to a hard-fought battle with cancer. As a company, we decided to use the $500 scholarship to start up a college fund for the employee’s daughter. We are purchasing credits through Washington State’s GET Program, and SFM employees are also donating on an individual level. Even though the employee’s daughter is only five years old, we hope that SFM’s contribution will help her reach her dreams by jump-starting her education.
