UPMC Horizon medical staff awards medical education scholarships

Greenville and Farrell, PA — The UPMC Horizon medical staff scholarship trustees have awarded $14,000 in scholarships to seven medical students from Crawford, Lawrence, and Mercer counties. The UPMC Horizon medical staff provides funding for the scholarships.

This year’s scholarship recipients are:

• Danielle L. Gainor, a second-year student at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia and daughter of Kim Gainor of Greenville. Ms. Gainor is a 2202 graduate of Greenville Area High School and a 2006 graduate of Duquesne University with a major in Biology and Minor in Chemistry. Her special interests include a jogging, tennis, swimming, medical interest groups and involvement in Summer Emergency Room Growth Experience, a volunteer program.
• Dustin Jackson, a third-year student at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. He graduated with highest distinction from Penn State University in 2005 with a degree in pre-medicine. Mr. Jackson is the son of John and Carla Berry of Conneaut Lake and Steve and Laura Jackson of Meadville. His special interests include weight-lifting, running, travel, golf, snowboarding and medical interest groups.
• Rachel Nighswander, a second-year student at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. Ms. Nighswander is the daughter of Jerry and Angela Nighswander, Hermitage. The 2002 Hickory High School salutatorian graduated from Penn State as the December 2005 Eberly College of Science student marshal with a degree in biology and a minor in psychology. She is the public relations officer for Lux et Veritas and a member of the Student Pediatric Society, American Medical Student Association, American Medical Association, and the Student Surgical Society. She volunteers for the Arthritis Foundation volunteer and is researching sickle cell disease during the summer. In her spare time, she enjoys tennis and biking.
• Rachel H. Noone, a third-year medical student at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. She is a 1995 graduate of Grove City Area High School and a 2002 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a dual-major in film studies and business. Her special interests include music performance, medical research projects and medical interest groups. Ms. Noone is the daughter of Thomas and Nancy Noone of Grove City.
• Sarah E. Pesek, a fourth-year medical student at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. She is the daughter of Cary Cooper of Mercer. Ms. Pesek is a 1999 graduate of Mercer Area High School and earned a degree in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 2003. Her special interests include the study and use of the Spanish language, volunteering at Lion Care (a Penn State community service program), and cross-country running. Ms. Pesek was a recipient of the UPMC Horizon Medical Staff Scholarship in 2006.
• Catherine Porter, a second-year medical student at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. A graduate of West Middlesex High School, Ms. Porter earned a biology degree from Westminster College, New Wilmington. She is a member of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association, the American Association of Family Practitioners, the International Society, and the Women’s Health Club. She enjoys playing softball and basketball, dancing, and volunteering in the community. Ms. Porter is the daughter of Gerry and Linda Porter of New Wilmington.
• Sarah R. Smith, a third-year medical student at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. The daughter of Rev. Aland and Judith Smith, Greenville, Ms. Smith is a 2001 graduate of Greenville Area High School. In 2005, she graduated from Penn State University with a degree in pre-medicine. Her special interests include international health through medical missions, volunteering in a Harrisburg homeless shelter, and tutoring. Ms. Smith was a recipient of the UPMC Horizon Medical Staff Scholarship in 2006.

Trustees of the UPMC Horizon Medical Staff Scholarship Trust Fund are Jeffrey A. Bedlion, MD; Mathew T. Bee, MD; Marcia L. Petrick, MD (chairperson); and Kirk L. Works, MD.

Annual UPMC Horizon Medical Staff scholarships are open to medical students from the areas served by UPMC Horizon and have proven their scholastic merit at their respective medical schools.

Specific eligibility criteria and applications can be obtained by contacting the UPMC Horizon Medical Staff Services Office at 724-983-7528.

Contact: Erin Palko, public relations manager, 724-589-8107