Obici Healthcare Foundation Career Pathways Scholarship
The purpose of the Obici Healthcare Foundation Career Pathways Scholarship is to support local students who plan to pursue a career in healthcare in Suffolk or Western Tidewater. There are two components within this scholarship program. First, renewable scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school senior for up to four years total for undergraduate study. These recipients will also have an opportunity to reapply for funding for post-graduate study, which could include medical school. Second, scholarships will be awarded through Paul D. Camp Community College for students in community college programs.
Scholarships for High School Seniors
The Obici Healthcare Foundation Career Pathways Scholarship will be awarded each year to three new graduating high school seniors. This is a renewable scholarship for $10,000 per year, for up to four years total for undergraduate study.
To be eligible for this scholarship, the applicant must:
- Be a current resident (or a dependent of a current resident) of Suffolk, Franklin, Isle of Wight County, Southampton County, Sussex County, Surry County, or Gates County, NC.
- Be a graduating high school senior, or a home-schooled student who is a senior.
- Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited college or university in the fall to pursue a healthcare-related field of study. Eligible fields of study may include medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacology, emergency medical services, nutrition, public health, radiology, and phlebotomy. Additional healthcare professions and fields of study may also be approved.
- Be committed to practicing healthcare in Suffolk or Western Tidewater upon the completion of their education.
Applicants will be selected based on the following criteria:
- The student’s record of community service,
- The student’s commitment to a career path in the healthcare professions, and
- The student’s commitment to stay in (or return to) Suffolk or Western Tidewater to practice healthcare.
Recipients of the Obici Healthcare Foundation Career Pathways Scholarship are eligible to renew the scholarship for up to three additional years of undergraduate study, so long as the student:
- Remains full-time, as defined by the college/university that the student attends.
- Submits a renewal application including a transcript by the published deadline, demonstrating full-time enrollment, continued commitment to practicing healthcare in the Western Tidewater, and a GPA of 2.7 or better.
- Continues to have a declared major in a healthcare related field of study.
Recipients of the undergraduate scholarship are also invited to apply for additional scholarship funding for up to four years of post-graduate study, which could include medical or other graduate school. Post-graduate funding will be based on the student’s academic performance as an undergraduate, his/her intended field of study as a graduate student, and his/her commitment to return to Suffolk and/or Western Tidewater to practice healthcare upon the completion of his/her education.
Graduating high school seniors can apply for this scholarship via the Suffolk Foundation’s common scholarship application form, which which opens online on February 10, 2025. The application must be submitted online before the deadline of 11:59 pm, March 21, 2025. For more information, contact the Foundation staff at office@suffolkfoundation.
Community College Scholarships
In 2025, the Obici Healthcare Foundation Career Pathways Scholarship is also funding 12 scholarships awarded through Paul D. Camp Community College. Six scholarships of $2,000 each will be awarded to students in the curriculum program who plan to pursue a career in healthcare. Six scholarships of $1,333 each will be awarded to students in the “Fast Track” healthcare program. Please contact the PDCCC Financial Aid office (757-569-6711 or financialaid@pdc.edu) if interested in applying for one of these scholarships.
Awardees
2024 High School Recipients:
Kate Holland, Isle of Wight Academy
Jacy Keith, Gates County Senior High School
Taylor Grace Legg, Gates County Senior High School
2024 Community College Recipients:
Chafia Dixon, Suffolk, VA
Ilary Tiendrebeogo, Suffolk, VA
Mary Eesuola, Suffolk, VA
Tatyana Beale, Newsoms, VA
Tanisha Thompson, Franklin, VA
Naomi Gardier-Brewster, Suffolk, VA
Asia Daren, Suffolk, VA
Jacquelin Harden, Suffolk, VA
Jordan Taylor, Smithfield, VA
Tamia Blakely, Suffolk, VA