Michigan State Student awarded United Health Foundation scholarship to pursue health career

• Scholarship Winner Erez Gueta attended Fifth Annual Diverse Scholars Forum in Washington, D.C.
• Local scholars among 200 future health leaders from across the country
• Diverse Scholars nationwide will receive nearly $2 Million in scholarships this year
  
  

Erez Gueta has been awarded a scholarship from United Health Foundation’s Diverse Scholars Initiative to pursue a career in health care. 

Gueta, from Bath, Mich., will begin his third year at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in the fall. Upon completing his degree, he hopes to work for a government agency with the goal of improving community health for all species.

“The generosity of programs like the United Health Foundation scholarship, and the individuals behind it, means a lot to me and has been a big part in allowing me to continue with my education,” said Gueta. “It helps relieve the burden and stress that comes with the high cost of veterinary medicine education, and therefore helps me to keep my focus on school.”

United Health Foundation’s Diverse Scholars Initiative, through its partner organizations, awarded $1.2 million in scholarships in the 2012-2013 school year to 200 students from diverse, multicultural backgrounds, with nearly $2 million in scholarships announced for 2013-2014. This is part of the foundation’s ongoing commitment to build a more diverse health care workforce.

United Health Foundation made the announcement at its fifth annual Diverse Scholars Forum, which brings more than 60 scholarship recipients to Washington, D.C., July 24-26 to celebrate the scholars.

“We are pleased to support these exceptional students in their efforts to achieve their educational goals,” said Rubin. “The Diverse Scholars Initiative helps these scholars fund their education, and gives them an opportunity to learn from one another and interact with experts who are leading the way in improving care.”

United Health Foundation’s Diverse Scholars Initiative is one facet of the foundation’s commitment to build and strengthen the health workforce. United Health Foundation also supports additional programs like STEMPREP, which aims to produce the next generation of researchers in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical fields. Additionally, the foundation supports A.T. Still University’s Connect the Docs Graduate Loanship Program that provides loan repayments to four qualifying graduates who secure jobs in community health centers.

For more information about the Diverse Scholars Initiative, visit www.unitedhealthfoundation.org/dsi.html.

About United Health Foundation 
Guided by a passion to help people live healthier lives, United Health Foundation provides helpful information to support decisions that lead to better health outcomes and healthier communities. The Foundation also supports activities that expand access to quality health care services for those in challenging circumstances and partners with others to improve the well-being of communities. Since established by UnitedHealth Group [NYSE: UNH] in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation, the Foundation has committed more than $210 million to improve health and health care. For more information, visit www.unitedhealthfoundation.org.

1 The Rationale for Diversity in the Health Professions: A Review of the Evidence; U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions; October 2006