Baystate Wing Hospital Auxiliary Awards $5,000 in Scholarships to Area Students

PALMER — Five area students have received an increase in their college fund, courtesy of the Baystate Wing Hospital Auxiliary. The hospital’s volunteer group recently presented $5,000 in scholarships to area high-school students pursuing careers in healthcare.

Each year, the scholarships are financed by the fundraising efforts of auxiliary members. The auxiliary awarded scholarships to seniors graduating from Ludlow, Monson, Palmer, Pathfinder, and Ware High schools who are pursuing higher education in a healthcare field. The students were chosen based on their academic excellence, volunteer efforts and community service, work experience, and dedication to their goals.

A committee reviewed the applications of area students in April to select the students who this year will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. The 2021 scholarship award recipients include Tori Edwards from Palmer High School, who will pursue a degree in biomedical science; Kaitlyn Rodrigues from Ludlow High School, who will pursue a degree as a physician assistant; Makayla Davenport from Pathfinder Regional High School, who will pursue a degree in occupational therapy; Lexie Orszulak from Ware High School, who will pursue a degree in nursing; and Alex Doyle from Monson High School, who will pursue a degree as a physician assistant.

“We are extremely proud of these students and grateful to the Baystate Wing Hospital Auxiliary members for their continued dedication to our hospital and our communities,” said Ursula St. Amand, chairman of the scholarship committee. “These scholarships are an investment in our area youth and will help to build a healthcare workforce for the future.”