HENRICO, VA (November 5, 2024) – The Virginia Community Healthcare Association (VCHA), in cooperation with the Virginia Community Healthcare Foundation, is excited to announce the recipients of the inaugural VCHA Community Health Scholarship.
- Karlena Diggs, MA in Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Hong Le, Medical Student, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
- Tangynika Williams, MA in Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University
These three graduate students were recognized during VCHA’s 2024 Annual Membership Meeting and Conference on September 18. They each received $12,500 that will go towards their education journey and help prepare them for rewarding careers in public health and community healthcare.
“Through the VCHA Community Health Scholarship program, we’re honored to support these professionals as they pursue future careers in healthcare,” said Tracy Douglas, VCHA’s Chief Executive Officer. “Each recipient has demonstrated a drive to serve others through their commitments to caring, healing and their communities. We couldn’t be prouder to support these extraordinary students.”
In 2023, VCHA partnered with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to develop the scholarship program. UNCF serves as the largest and most effective minority education organization in the country. Since their founding, they have raised more than $5 billion and helped more than 500,000 students not just attend college, but thrive, graduate and become leaders.
ABOUT THE VCHA COMMUNITY HEALTH SCHOLARSHIP
The VCHA Community Health Scholarship is for full-time students who are pursuing an MD/DO/DDS degree, NP, PA, or Ph.D./master’s in public health, psychology, and social work at a Virginia college or university. The award amount is $12,500 for up to three students. Scholarship recipients are eligible for renewal for up to three additional years and at graduation they are encouraged to seek employment with a Virginia Community Health Center (CHC) and work at the CHC for at least four (4) years. To learn more, visit vcha.org/vcha-communityhealthcare-scholarship
ABOUT VIRGINIA COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION
Virginia Community Healthcare Association (VCHA), established in 1980, is a non-profit membership organization that serves as the primary care association for Virginia’s community health centers and look-alike health centers. VCHA’s mission is to advocate on behalf of, educate and elevate our member health centers by enhancing their ability to provide affordable, accessible, quality healthcare to the communities they serve regardless of their ability to pay. For more information, visit www.vcha.org
ABOUT THE VIRGINIA COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
The Virginia Community Healthcare Foundation (VACHF) was founded in 2023 in partnership with VCHA. It’s mission is to advance the ideals of quality and affordability in healthcare services and health equity through its partnership with the Virginia Community Healthcare Association and with essential funding from philanthropic individuals, corporations, and other sources.
