On Wednesday, May 29^th, QueensCare had the honor of hosting its inaugural Scholarship Luncheon. The event was a resounding success and the attendees consisted of scholarship recipients, along with their guests, members of the QueensCare staff, board members, and charitable board members. Together, we celebrated the achievements of our scholarship recipients and reflected on the impact of the scholarship program over the past 18 years.

The most inspiring moments of the luncheon were from hearing from three remarkable individuals whose paths have been touched by QueensCare’s support. Dr. Olena Svetlov, an early recipient of our scholarship program, shared pieces of her journey from Ukraine and how witnessing a nurse’s compassion with a patient motivated her to pursue a career in nursing. Dr. Olena Svetlov works in a local non-profit hospital, volunteer in our community and back in Ukraine with her daughter, Taya Svetlov. She attended the luncheon with Taya, who she was pregnant with at the time she was awarded the scholarship, back in 2007. Dr. Stephanie Patterson, who received the scholarship several years ago, spoke passionately about how important it was for her to stay and serve in the city where she grew up. While working as a Registered Nurse and studying in a hospital setting, she was able to witness first-hand how many additional, unmet needs many residents in Los Angeles were facing. She now visits patients in their homes, provides culturally competent care, and helps to bridge patients with additional resources that they may not have otherwise had access to. Lastly, we heard from Kamran Noorishirazi, who has recently completed his first year of medical school at UC Irvine. He described when his younger, only sibling suffered a severe health event and the emotional and financial toll that it took on his family. The care his sister received, as well as the dedication of the medical staff, inspired Kamran to become a physician. Against the odds, he applied to schools near and far from where he grew up in Massachusetts. He moved 3,000 miles to Southern California where he is determined to become the best version of a physician possible and provide the best care to immigrant families like his own.

Despite their diverse backgrounds and journeys, a common thread ran through their remarks: a deep-rooted motivation to help others. Each of them emphasized how QueensCare’s scholarship program, though just a piece of the puzzle, helped them to achieve their educational goals and make a positive impact in the world of healthcare.

QueensCare will continue this luncheon as a tradition in the years to come. We are committed to encouraging the next generation of healthcare leaders and supporting them in their endeavors. By coming together, we can make a difference and reduce the health disparities that our communities face.