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Thomas, Rowley scholarships awarded to CHP students by Cindy Abole Public Relations A dozen College of Health Professions students were honored recently in an event recognizing scholars. The Rowley/Thomas Tea Reception was held June 11 at the Sebring Aimar House on MUSC’s campus. Eleven students became recipients of the Kathleen and Brock Rowley Scholarships, which is awarded to various rehabilitation science students praised for academics and clinical research. A new award, the Kenneth and Cozie Thomas Scholarship, recognized excellence for a deserving health professions student. “It's a great day in the life of our college to celebrate and establish scholarships recognizing students with outstanding achievements,” said Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., dean of the College of Health Professions. The recipients of the Rowley Award for Academic Enhancement in Rehabilitation Sciences are Jennifer Allison, communicative sciences and disorders; Natasha Johnson, physical therapy; Emily Ridlehoover, occupational therapy; Adam Smith, physical therapy; and Leigh Woodman, physical therapy. Recipients were selected based on academic achievement and financial need from each of the rehabilitative sciences. Finalists were asked to submit an essay on the theme, The Art and Science of Being in Excellent Health Professional. The winners, representing one from each program, received a check for $2,000 per year for each year the student has been in the program. The Rowley Award for Clinical/Research Excellence in Rehabilitation Sciences recipients were Elizabeth Wadsworth, communicative sciences and disorders; Emily Ridlehoover, occupational therapy; and Hunter Bowie, physical therapy. Rising second and third-year students who are selected are judged for their professional activities in research, professional presentations, continuing education, community outreach and service programs. Students receive $1,000 each for this award. Third-year OT student Emily Ridlehoover shares her comments regarding the Rowley Scholarship. “I’m very appreciative to the Rowley family and their contributions,” said Emily Ridlehoover, a winner in both Rowley Award categories. “It speaks highly about our faculty and the support of the College of Health Profession’s efforts to assist students. I look forward to sharing these contributions to assist in funding for my participation at the American Occupational Therapy Association Conference last month and with tuition. Three students were presented with the Rowley Award for Clinical/Research Excellence in Rehabilitation Sciences. They are Medan DeLoreto, communicative sciences and disorders; Jena Wozniuk, occupational therapy and Whitney Shealy, physical therapy. Awardees received $2,000 for the award. The Kenneth and Cozie Thomas award was presented to Jon Elgarico, a second-year physical therapy student. Elgarico, who serves as president of MUSC’s Physical Therapy class of 2002, was both surprised and delighted to be named an award recipient. “Positive reinforcement through this award is always encouraging,” said Elgarico. “I say ‘reinforcement’ because I work hard to establish myself as a student and professional in training.” The Thomas scholarship was established by Rehabilitation Sciences Associate Professor Jack Thomas, Ph.D., in honor of his parents. The $1,000 award is presented to a deserving student who demonstrates exceptional professional and academic performance and judged to have potential to become an outstanding clinician.