More than 850 students have received more
than $1.8 million in scholarships from the Foundation since
inception
The Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation presented its annual
scholarship award in the amount of $155,000 to a class of 88
outstanding and diverse High Desert students who are seeking higher
education in the health sciences on Thursday in Victorville. To
date, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.8 million in academic
scholarships.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240626496462/en/
(Left to right) Dr. Venkamma Reddy and
Sunitha Reddy with 2024 Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation
Scholarship recipients: Emily Mazurek and Klaudia Schoffstall
(Photo: Business Wire)
“We’re proud to honor this year’s scholarship recipient class
who have shown an exemplary commitment to healthcare and a sincere
desire to help others,” said Sunitha Reddy, Executive Director of
the Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation. “We are so touched by the
stories of our scholarship recipients and their tenacity and
dedication, and we are honored to help them realize their greatest
potential.”
Founded in 1989 by healthcare visionary Dr. Prem Reddy, Founder,
Chairman and CEO of Prime Healthcare, the Foundation has donated
millions of dollars to various charities supporting health
education, college scholarships, public healthcare education, and
free community clinics both locally and across the globe.
This year, the Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation Scholarship saw
a record number of applicants. This year's increase in scholarship
applications by students ranging in ages from 16 to 54. From high
school students overcoming significant hardships to single mothers
pursuing their dreams of healthcare service, each recipient has
demonstrated academic excellence and a sincere commitment to
serving the healthcare needs of the community.
During the evening, scholarship recipients were recognized and
presented certificates from Sunitha Reddy and Dr. Venkamma Reddy,
Co-Founder of the Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation.
“The journey you are embarking on is not just a career; it is a
calling. A calling that requires compassion, empathy, and a
fundamental desire to help others,” said Sunitha Reddy. “The
scholarships awarded tonight are a recognition of your potential to
make a profound difference in the lives of countless individuals
and your communities. You exemplify what it means to be a beacon of
hope for so many. The lives you touch, the patients you care for
and the communities you serve will forever be impacted by your
actions.”
Sisters Emily Mazurek and Klaudia Schoffstall, 2024 Dr. Prem
Reddy Family Foundation Scholarship recipients, shared their
gripping story of family, resolve and their educational path.
First-generation immigrants and natives of the High Desert and
employees of Desert Valley Hospital, the sisters addressed the
audience jointly while telling how their family persevered through
the death of their mother to COVID-19 and how they turned their
loss into motivation to fuel their career path to helping
others.
“Working in healthcare is so much more than just a job,”
Schoffstall said. “I believe it really takes a special person to be
there in some of the toughest moments, and provide a caring touch,
exceptional care, as well as being a patient advocate. My mother
knew I always wanted to become a nurse, and I think a big part of
me returning to school was watching my younger sister overcome so
many difficulties while still excelling in school.”
The evening’s keynote was delivered by Carol Lee, MD, Emergency
Medicine Vice Chair and Emergency Medicine Residency Program
Director at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Dr. Lee, a
first-generation immigrant herself, reinforced the importance of
perseverance while setting goals.
“Your skills, talent, and knowledge are too valuable for you to
give up too quickly,” Dr. Lee said. “As you embark on your own
journey, I would ask you stay resilient. I believe that you too can
achieve the American Dream like me.”
The evening culminated with an inspiring message from Sunitha
Reddy that included a check presentation highlighting the $155,000
in scholarships awarded by the Foundation.
The list of speakers and presenters included:
- Dr. Venkamma Reddy, Co-Founder of the Dr. Prem Reddy Family
Foundation
- Sunitha Reddy, Executive Director of the Dr. Prem Reddy Family
Foundation
- Dr. Carol Lee, Emergency Medicine Vice Chair and Emergency
Medicine Residency Program Director at Arrowhead Regional Medical
Center
- Emily Mazurek and Klaudia Schoffstall, 2024 Dr. Prem Reddy
Family Foundation Scholarship recipients
- Elizabeth Becerra, Mayor, Victorville
- Representatives and citations from the offices of U.S.
Congressman Jay Obernolte, State Senator Scott Wilk, and
Assemblyman Tom Lackey
- Dr. Imran Siddiqui, Chief Medical Officer, Desert Valley
Hospital and Desert Valley Medical Group
The High Desert of Southern California is considered a Health
Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), meaning there is a shortage of
primary, dental, or mental healthcare providers. Many of the
scholarship recipients expressed a desire to remain in the High
Desert serving their community. In addition, to address the
significant need for physicians in the Inland Empire, Dr. Reddy and
the Prime Healthcare Foundation have established one of
California's newest medical schools, the California University of
Science and Medicine, in Colton, CA, with a more than $70 million
contribution. The first MD class of 62 new physicians graduated on
May 21, 2022, and many of them will be serving their residency
and/or have pledged to practice in the Inland Empire.
About the Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation
The Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation, founded by Dr. Prem Reddy
and his family, has donated millions in support of health
education, college scholarships, public healthcare education, and
free community clinics. On a global level, the foundation supports
Samaritan's Purse by donating equipment used in clinics in
poverty-stricken regions around the world. The foundation also
funds clean water initiatives, childhood vaccinations programs,
educational grants, new medical clinics, and medical missions. For
more information, visit www.premreddy.com.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240626496462/en/
Andrea Bell, Dr. Prem Reddy Family Foundation Scholarship
Committee 760-381-8913 or
scholarships@reddyfamilyfoundation.org.