Sunday, March 13, 2011

Amazing Students with Amazing Stories

Meet some friends of mine--who are some of the current roster of John Hilton Knowles Scholars.  Left to right above, they are Jason Villarreal (DEN), Tammy Cheung (DPT), Katie Volpa (ABSN), Taryn  Townsend(CSD) and Ricardo Sedan (DEN) .  The Knowles family has established a scholarship in honor of John Hilton Knowles, who was President of Mass General Hospital when the Institute was founded. Dr. Knowles, now deceased, and his family recognized the important contribution that our students are to make, as future leaders of their various disciplines


Jason, whose home is in San Antonio, Texas has worked as a furniture mover for people who were impoverished and for three years as a health promoter in inner city Boston. Fluent in Russian (along with Spanish and English), Jason has volunteered with the Chernobyl Children's Project!  He is also involved in two choirs in his church and is active in flag football!   He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.

Tammy, who is originally from New Jersey is first year student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.  Before coming to Boston, Tammy volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and also for "Open Hands" a group that brings food to homebound, ill, or disabled persons.  Tammy is a graduate of the University of California at Berkley.

Katie,  a graduate of Boston University with a master's in international health, is enrolled in the accelerated BSN program at the Institute.   She has spent one year in Chennai India where she focused on serving people with HIV/AIDS and another year working on the Thai-Burmese border, working in refugee camps.  Her international work convinced her that she wanted to combine her knowledge of international need with clinical skills in nursing.

Taryn,  a graduate of the University of Florida, has remained active with an organization that has significant outreach to multicultural populations and inclusiveness.  Taryn is a first year student in the MS program in Speech  Language Pathology.  In addition to her studies (and adjusting to Boston weather), Taryn is a volunteer with the Big Sisters organization.

 Ricardo, is in the first year of the three year DEN program.  His rich background includes participating as a professional card player during his undergraduate years at MIT, working as a medical interpreter at the Charlestown Community Health Center, producing films,  and being dad to two young sons (ages 3 and 5). 

The Knowles family has established a scholarship in honor of John Hilton Knowles, who was President of Mass General Hospital when the Institute was founded.   Dr. Knowles, now deceased, and his family recognized the important contribution that our students are to make, as future leaders of their various disciplines.

At the March 3 meeting of our Trustees, which was also attended by representatives of the Knowles family, these great students were able to share their backgrounds and stories.  As you can imagine, they were a "hit."   It was my great pleasure to be able to introduce them to the Board, and I described them as game changers.  They are going to change the health care game of the future.  I am so happy to know that indivduals such as Jason Villarreal (DEN), Tammy Cheung (DPT), Katie Volpa (ABSN), Taryn  Townsend(CSD) and Ricardo Sedan (DEN) are at the Institute.  These scholars have already demonstrated their academic talent, as a basis for coming to the IHP and receiving this award.  Now, they are on the way to demonstrate talent in their discipline and as the next generation of leaders in health care.