Hudson River HealthCare Scholarship Fund Helps Enhance the Health Care Industry Through Higher Education

Peekskill, NY (March 25, 2014) – Hudson River HealthCare (HRHCare), a not-for-profit, federally qualified healthcare system offering a range of medical services throughout New York State, announced today that it has established the Reverend Mrs. Jeannette Phillips Heritage Scholarship.  The scholarship is intended to award local high school students in Peekskill, New York and HRHCare employees who are working toward furthering their education in the health care field.

“Our goal is to provide the residents of our communities with access to the best possible and most affordable health care services both now and in the future, and encouraging education is the best way to accomplish that goal by building the next generation of health professionals,” said Anne Kauffman Nolon, MPH, President and CEO of Hudson River HHRCare.  “This is the first year that we are offering this prestigious award, and we are excited to expand the heritage scholarship opportunity to students living in the surrounding communities of all of our HRHCare Community Health Centers in years to come.”

The Jeannette Phillips Heritage Scholarship is a living tribute in honor of Reverend Mrs. Jeannette Phillips, who has been a pioneer in securing access to health care for the medically underserved for over three decades.  Phillips is also one of the founding mothers of HRHCare, leading the charge in 1975 to provide affordable and accessible health care by opening what was then called the Peekskill Ambulatory Health Care Center.

“Ms. Phillips’ significant contributions continue to benefit the health and well-being of our communities throughout New York State,” continued Nolon.  “This scholarship is not only a way to honor her legacy, but it is also a way to follow her precedent and continue providing health care services to everyone for a long time.”

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be under 21 years of age, enrolled in a college, university or advanced degree, and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.  HRHCare employees continuing their education must be employed at HRHCare for a minimum of six months, and enrolled in an undergraduate university, college, vocational school or advanced degree program.  Each applicant must also submit an essay detailing how their aspirations will enhance the wellbeing of their community.

All applications are due on Saturday, April 19, 2014.  For information on how to apply, visit the HRHCare website, www.hrhcare.org, or email any questions to the Heritage Scholarship fund at Heritagescholarshipfund@hrhcare.org.