Six Rivers CLMA

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What's New

Scholarship News
The Six Rivers CLMA Chapter offers an annual scholarship for students in a CLS or CLT program covering our geographic area. This year we reviewed the most scholarship applications since the five years of offering financial support for our area students. This was a very competitive selection process and we appreciate the dedication of all 8 of the hard working students. The selection committee (Kathy Good in Cincinnati, Paul Labbe in Dayton & Ed Firgau in Columbus) requested monetary rewards for 5 students representing four different education programs, the board approved and we announced the scholarship awards to the 5 winners. They were all very excited and grateful. We will be recognizing their on campus shortly, celebrating with their peers. What follows is a brief statement from each of the recognized students:

Leslie Hoelscher - Don’t judge a book by its cover. I think this quote helps to describe myself well. I think I have always looked like a very awkward, quiet, shy girl, but those who really know me would disagree. I have tried my whole life to strive for perfection both academically and athletically. School has always come first in my life which shows from my grades as well as my accomplishments. Throughout grade school and high school, I would not be happy with anything less than an A. I think this determination to do my best led me to become salutatorian of my graduating class at Fort Loramie High School in Ohio. Athletics have also been a large part of my life even though I have not always looked very coordinated. I have always wanted to try new things. After experiencing many different activities, volleyball and basketball seemed to be my favorites. I applied the same work ethic to athletics as I did in academics and succeeded in these sports as well. I went on to attend college at Thomas More College to study Medical Technology. I spent the last three years preparing for this year of extreme learning and experience as well as representing Thomas More College by competing in volleyball. This year has shown me how much there is to know about medicine and how everyday can be a challenge. Looking back on all the years of preparation, I feel like I have made the right decision when choosing my future career. Medicine and the workings of life struck my interest early in life being brought up by medical professionals in my family. The main challenge I have had in pursuing my future career is the financial side of it. Luckily, I have been blessed enough to have received financial aid through scholarships and loans. The scholarship most recently awarded to me through the Six Rivers Chapter of the CLMA has helped me face the financial burden I am facing at this time. Thank you to the Six Rivers Chapter for helping me financially make it through this last year of school before I start contributing to healthcare as a certified clinical laboratory scientist.

Johnna Simpson - I am so thrilled with the news that I will be a recipient of the Six Rivers CLMA scholarship. Your email came as a complete surprise as I was sure there would be many qualified applicants. Thank you so much.
I was born in Winchester, Kentucky and grew up there and in Beavercreek, OH. I graduated from Beavercreek High School in 2003. After high school graduation, I obtained certification in photographic technology from Sinclair Community College in 2007 and was employed as a photographer and studio manager. My experiences in the workforce led me to seek higher education and a more fulfilling career. After careful research, I decided to pursue the field of medical technology and began courses at Wright State University. I have enjoyed my classes and rotations immensely and am excited to graduate with a B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science in June 2010. I was married on March 17, 2009 and in my free time I enjoy photography, spending time with my dog, Oskar, and traveling to warm, sandy beaches. I am very excited to begin my career and look forward to new challenges as I gain experience in various departments.

Jenilee Baker - Thank you so much for selecting me as a recipient of the Six Rivers Chapter of CLMA scholarship. I am the proud daughter of Randy and Carol Baker of Holgate, OH. I am a 2007 graduate of The University of Findlay with majors in Forensic Science and Biology. I now am working towards my Associate Degree in MLT at Columbus State Community College where I thoroughly enjoy the hands on learning environment. I also work at the Fairfield Medical Center in the Central Processing department of the lab on night shift. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, reading, canoeing, and most of all spending time with my family, friends and pets. In regards to my reaction, I was overjoyed to read the email that I had to reread it another time to make sure that I had read it correctly the first time. Then I let out a little scream of excitement.

Thank you once again for this scholarship. I greatly appreciate this honor and it will help tremendously with my tuition expenses.

Tasha Axton - I just received your email and was very excited and honored to find I was a recipient of The Six Rivers Chapter of CLMA scholarship. In today’s economy combined with the cost of tuition, I know the scholarship will be very helpful during this semester's expenses. I am a 23 year old from Cambridge, Ohio, daughter of George and Iris Axton. During my college career at Ohio Northern University I participated in both Varsity Track and Softball. I have a BS in Forensic Biology from ONU '08. I returned to ONU to receive my CLS certificate. I will graduate in May '10 from the program. I have found a passion for Blood Bank, and I hope to continue my passion with a career as a Med Tech, and eventually become a specialist in blood banking. Once again, I am greatly honored and appreciative for this scholarship! Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart.

Chris Grissom - I am really excited to be writing this email back to you. I opened your email upon arriving home from my blood bank clinical, and actually read it a few times. The second time to make sure it was real and that it was for me! And then a third time to enjoy it again! I really do appreciate this scholarship and would really like it if you could express my gratitude to all of those involved. I feel that you run a wonderful organization and it is because of people like you that we students can achieve greater heights.

Ok, for a short bio. I grew up in Piqua, Oh, and after getting my Associate's of Science at Edison Community College I moved to Dayton to get my Bachelor's in Biology at Wright State University. I couldn't really find a job and so I took an entry level position as a phlebotomist at Upper Valley Medical Center. At which point I bought a house back in my home town of Piqua with my Fiancee Cristy Rowe. At UVMC I moved up through the ranks fairly quickly to the point I need more schooling. I became interested in the Med Tech positions and began exploring. I sat down with our pathologist Dr. Machicao who really got me excited about the field. I applied and got accepted in WSU's MT/CLS program in 2009 and in about 4 short months I will have completed that program and be a licensed MT. For now I still work at UVMC full time at nights as a specimen processor, and as for the future, I am just planning on working and saving money for my wedding on September 18, 2010!!!


Again, Thank you for everything!