Recently, local high school graduates, community members, Southcoast Health leaders and sponsors attended the Southcoast Health annual scholarship luncheon, hosted by the Southcoast Health Ambassadors.

At the event, the Southcoast Health Ambassadors presented scholarships to recent high school graduates across the region on behalf of all three Southcoast Health hospitals. This year the group awarded 28 scholarships totaling $42,000, with each graduate receiving $1,500 towards their college education.

“We are honored to support these students on their professional journeys. This event is so meaningful because it shows how closely connected, we are with the communities we serve, and the support we receive from the Southcoast Health Ambassadors and our donors is essential to helping us carry out our mission,” said David O. McCready, President and CEO of Southcoast Health. “By supporting students who are pursuing careers in healthcare and medicine today, we are ensuring that there will be skilled caregivers to serve our region in the future.”

The scholarships are funded through a collaborative effort made possible by the combined generosity of individual donors and the Ambassadors. Each scholarship includes a $1,000 donation, which is then matched with an additional $500 contribution from the Ambassadors.  

“Supporting these remarkable students is a part of Southcoast Health’s commitment to building a stronger, healthier future for our region,” said Kimberley Coon, Executive Director of Hospital and Medical Staff Services, Chief of Staff to COO and Representative of the Charlton Memorial Hospital Scholarship Committee. “We hope to one day welcome them back to Southcoast Health – not just as graduates but as valued members of our healthcare community.”

After a rigorous review process, selection was determined based on a combination of factors, including cumulative GPA or class rank, written essays, letters of recommendation, and professional or volunteer experience. The selected students exemplify academic excellence and are on track to pursue degrees that will place them in the medical field.

“We are proud to support these outstanding scholarship recipients as they pursue their dreams,” said Janice Sharp, Chair of the St. Luke’s Scholarship Committee. “Their dedication, hard work, and passion embody the values we strive to uphold, and we are honored to play a role in helping them achieve their goals.”

“These students represent the future of healthcare, and their passion is truly inspiring. Being a part of the process that helps open doors for them is a very rewarding aspect of serving on the committee,” added Elena Coffey, Chair of the Tobey Hospital Scholarship Committee. “The Southcoast Health Ambassadors extend a big congratulations to each of the recipients.”

To learn more about the Southcoast Health Ambassadors and to help to serve our local community, please contact Ambassador@southcoast.org. *Please continue scrolling to view list of awards recipients.

The following students received a scholarship on behalf of Charlton Memorial Hospital:

• Paige Marie Albernaz from Somerset is a graduate of Somerset Berkley Regional High School and the recipient of the Dr. Gurbux Mansharamani and Hansi Mansharanami Scholarship. She plans to attend Northeastern University majoring in Nursing.

• Jaira Bernardo from Westport is a graduate of Westport High School and the recipient of the Drs. Jeanette and Arnold Giedrimas Scholarship. She plans to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute majoring in Biomedical Engineering.

• Kasey Juarez from Fall River is a graduate of Durfee High School and is a recipient of The Ann Petrella Memorial Scholarship. She plans to attend The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/Pre-medical Health Studies.

• Madeline Polochick from Acushnet is a graduate of Apponequet High School and is the recipient of a BayCoast Bank Scholarship 2025. She plans to attend St. Anselm College majoring in Nursing.

• Juliet Provost from Seekonk is a graduate of Seekonk High School and the recipient of The Southcoast Cardiac Surgery Scholarship. She plans on attending Connecticut College majoring in Biology, enrolling in the Pre-Health Program.

• Samantha Rodrigues from Westport is a graduate of Westport High School and the recipient of The Nayab/Javed Scholarship. She plans to attend Sacred Heart University majoring in Nursing.

• Hailey Robertson from Fall River is a graduate of Durfee High School and is the recipient of the Southern New England Radiology Scholarship. She plans to attend Regis College majoring in Medical Sonography.

• Victoria Shields from Seekonk is a graduate of Seekonk High School and is the recipient of The Sullivan Family Charitable Fund Scholarship. She plans to attend Springfield College and majoring in Pre-Physical Therapy Science.

• Elena Sun from Portsmouth, Rhode Island is a graduate of Portsmouth High School and the recipient of the In Memory of Dr. Amine B. Maalouf Scholarship. She plans to attend Brown University majoring in Liberal Medical Education.

The following students received a scholarship on behalf of St. Luke’s Hospital:

• Katherine Cheesebro from Dartmouth is a graduate of Dartmouth High School and is a recipient of a BayCoast Bank Scholarship 2025. She plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Biomedical Engineering.

• Tatiana Desjardins from New Bedford is a graduate of New Bedford High School and is the recipient of the Dr. Andrew Medeiros Scholarship. She plans to attend the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, majoring in Pre-Med. 

• Aubrey DeSouza from Dartmouth is a graduate of Dartmouth High School and is the recipient of The Southcoast Behavioral Health Scholarship. She plans to attend UMass Amherst, majoring in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

• Jeremiah Matos from Dartmouth is a graduate of Bishop Stang High School and is the recipient of the Sean M. Gannon Memorial Fund of the Cape Cod Foundation Scholarship. He plans to attend Holy Cross, majoring in Biology.

• Elle Kathyrn McCormack from New Bedford is a graduate of New Bedford Vocational Regional Technical High School and is the recipient of the Kimberly and David Coon “More Than Medicine” Scholarship. She plans to attend Endicott College, majoring in Nursing.

• Kathryn Medeiros from Fall River is a graduate of Bishop Stang High School and is a recipient of The Dr. Richard H. Warburton Memorial Scholarship. She plans to attend UMass Dartmouth, majoring in Nursing.

• Hayley Michele Mimoso from Fairhaven is a graduate of Fairhaven High School and the recipient of the Dr. Ashok Gajwani and Mrs. Madhushree Gajwani Scholarship. She plans to attend Bridgewater University, majoring in Bio-Medicine with a Pre-med concentration.

• Addison Moura from Fall River is a graduate of Bishop Stang High School and the recipient of the Dr. Christopher Skeen and Mrs. Emily Skeehan Health Professionals Scholarship. She plans to attend Sacred Heart University, majoring in Biology and leading to a career as a Physician’s Assistant.

The following students received a scholarship on behalf of Tobey Hospital:

• Ella Bartholomew from Marion is a graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School is the recipient of a BayCoast Bank Scholarship 2025. She plans to attend Boston University majoring in Biochemistry on a Pre-med track.

• Tallulah Beane from Pocasset is a graduate of Bourne High School and a recipient of a Wylde Family Scholarship. She plans to attend Regis College majoring in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

• Addison Dion of Wareham is a graduate of Bourne High School and recipient of The Paul John Coffey Scholarship. She plans to attend Boston College, majoring in Molecular Biology.

• Elizabeth Houdelette from Marion is a graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School and is the recipient of a Wylde Family Scholarship. She plans to attend Springfield College majoring in Physician Assistant Studies.

• Caitlin O’Donnell from Mattapoisett is a graduate of Old Rochester High School and a recipient of a Wylde Family Scholarship. She plans to attend The University of Michigan majoring in Clinical Psychology.

• Ethan Potito from Wareham is a graduate of Wareham High School and the recipient of the Michael J. Cicoria, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. He plans attend the Worcester Polytechnic Institute majoring in Biology.

• Sophia Smalley from Sagamore Beach is a graduate of Sandwich High School and a recipient of a Wylde Family Scholarship. She plans to attend The University of Rhode Island majoring in Biomedical Engineering

• Sarah Stairs from Carver is a graduate of Carver High School and is the recipient of The Phyllis Upham Memorial Scholarship in memory of Patricia Keenan. She plans to attend Curry College majoring in Nursing.

• Alexa St. Louis from Mattapoisett is a graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School and a recipient of a Wylde Family Scholarship. She plans to attend Sacred Heart University majoring in Nursing.

The following students were recipients of a Southcoast Health Employee Child Scholarship:

• Brynn Santucci from Portsmouth, Rhode Island is a graduate of Portsmouth High School and the recipient of the Southcoast Health Employee Scholarship supported by Dr. Maryanne Norris. She plans to attend the University of South Florida majoring in Clinical Psychology.

• Sophia Marie Han from Tiverton, Rhode Island is a graduate of Tiverton High School and the recipient of the Southcoast Health Employee Child Scholarship supported by the Southcoast Health Senior Leadership Team. She will be majoring in Pharmacy Medicine on a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) track.