Port Jefferson Resident/Journalism Student Wins LI Hospital Association Scholarship

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. - Clayton Collier, resident of Port Jefferson, New York and student at Seton Hall University, was selected as the 2015 Ann Marie Brown Memorial Scholarship recipient. Awarded annually by the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council (NSHC) and its Communications Committee, the $2,000 scholarship was presented to Collier at the group’s annual luncheon on June 12.

Collier, a journalism student graduating in May of next year, was chosen based on his outstanding academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, and commitment to community service. He has an extensive history as a news writer for local publications in both New York and New Jersey, serves as a senator for his student government association, and is president and founder of an on-campus a cappella group. Collier has also completed several broadcasting internships, including five years covering the New York Mets as a credentialed reporter, three years covering the MLB draft as a credentialed reporter, and service as the Sport Director of WSOU-FM.

Collier has previously won numerous honors for his journalistic efforts, including first, second, and third place wins in the Garden State Journalist Award competition and third place in the CMA Pinnacle Award for Best Sportscast.

The Ann Marie Brown Memorial Scholarship has been awarded since 1994 and commemorates the late vice president for government and public affairs at the Hospital Council. Brown served in this role from 1983 – 1993. The scholarship is offered to a college junior, senior, or post-graduate student who is both a resident of Long Island and studies communication arts, journalism, or health care administration. For more specific information, go to www.nshc.org.

The Hospital Council’s Communications Committee is comprised of the senior public relations directors from Long Island’s not-for-profit and public hospitals. In addition to administering this yearly scholarship, this committee oversees the Hospital Council’s communication initiatives. It works to affect rational health policy and legislation, promote the programs and services offered by hospitals, and advocate for the health care needs of all Long Islanders.

Pictured left is 2015 Ann Marie Brown Memorial Scholarship Recipient Clayton Collier with Theresa Jacobellis, Chair of the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council Communications Committee and Director, Public and External Affairs, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, New York.