Background

The Wyoming Association of Physician Assistants is committed to improving access to quality health care within the state of Wyoming as well as advancing the PA profession.  WAPA recognizes that one of the best ways to increase the number of well qualified physician assistants practicing in Wyoming is to encourage Wyoming residents to attend PA education programs.  Wyoming residents are more likely to return to our state to practice upon graduation.  To assist Wyoming students in achieving their PA educational goals WAPA established a scholarship program in 1993.

Criteria

Criteria which may be considered by the Scholarship Selection Committee include:

1.  The applicant must be a Wyoming resident at the time of acceptance.

2.  Acceptance by an accredited PA Education Program                          

3.  Academic excellence                                                                             

4.  Non-academic achievements                                                                 

5.  Letters of recommendation                                                                  

                        6.  Brief essay or statement of personal achievements and personal/professional goals

7.  Financial need   

Awards

The Wyoming Association of Physician Assistants hopes to award at least two scholarships of $500.00 each, annually.  The actual number and amount of award(s) may vary depending on the availability of funds and the number of qualified applicants.  Each recipient will also receive a plaque commemorating the award.

Process

A Scholarship Committee will be appointed by the President of the WAPA and approved by the Board of Directors.  This committee will have the responsibilities of:

   1.  Developing and application form and a committee rating form                                                                            

 2.  Notifying the appropriate institutions and associations of availability of the scholarship.  This is to include the Association of Physician Assistants Programs, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, all PA education programs, and the office of financial aide of the University of Wyoming and the various Wyoming community colleges.

3.  Determine the application and selection colleges

4.  Reviewing the application and selection deadlines

5.  Determining the date and place of announcement of the awards

6.  Notifying all applicants of the scholarship winners as well as appropriate media

WAPA AWARDS THREE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2007

This year, Sheila Sterkel and her committee had a number of worthy applicants and WAPA was able to give out three $1000 scholarships.

Kelly Engels
Kelly is from Sheridan Wy. and is attending Rocky Mountain College-Master of
Physician Assistant program.  She attended UW where she obtained an degree
in Zoology and Physiology and was in the Honors program.  She is published
as 2nd author in Sosiety of Gynecologic Investigation Journal.
She is vice president of Rocky MT PA class of 2008.

Mark Vandervort
Mark is from Laramie WY attending Oregon Health & Science University in
Portland. He attended UW and obtained a B.S. in MechanicalEngineering and
again for pre PA.  He is married and plans to retunto Wy to practice as a
PA.

Clint Merritt
Clint is from Grover WY attending Rocky Mt College Pa program.  He attended
Star Valley High school and then UW where he graduated with honors.  He is
married with a child.  He plans on returning to Wyo to practice as a PA.

Congratulations to Kelly, Mark, and Clint  WAPA also pays for one nights lodging at the Annual Summer CME where they receive their plaque in recognition of their award.

Scholarship Form

 to be printed 

Applications must be submitted by January 1, 2006.

Send to:

Sheila Sterkel, PA-C

6684 Road #43

Torrington, WY 82240

Email: sgswyopa@hotmail.com

WAPA gives a big congratulations to all our winners.