Tara Osseck, a Master of Health Administration student was this year's inaugural recipient of the Dr. Paul E. Fitzgerald, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. She was awarded a $500 scholarship and presented a plaque during the Health Administration New Student Orientation Aug. 21.
The scholarship was created in January 2007 to honor Fitzgerald's legacy and outstanding contributions to the department of health administration at The University of Memphis.
After coming to The University in 2000 as director, Fitzgerald converted a then part-time MHA program with limited ties to the local health care community into a nationally-recognized program within the first year of his arrival on staff. In addition to establishing a number of community-based graduate assistantships featuring student scholarships and stipends, Fitzgerald shifted the once local program into a burgeoning full-time program with students recruited from across the nation.
Fitzgerald's passion, devotion, vision, strong teaching and leadership skills not only led the once developing department to its potential, but also his students. His commitment to students' academic and professional success is what made Fitzgerald a model mentor for countless students who entered the program. His untimely death in November 2006 weighed heavily upon the department and many students who were affected by his teaching, mentoring and leadership.
David Burchfield, associate professor in health administration and a long time friend of Fitzgerald, explained the lasting impact the scholarship named in Fitzgerald's memory will continue to make.
"By having the scholarship in his name, it allows us a platform from which to explain to new students the impact he had in developing this program to a national level," Burchfield said.
The scholarship program continues to thrive, with the department raising more than $17,000 to date for the fund. The $500 scholarship will be awarded once per year to an incoming MHA student who exemplifies outstanding performance in academics and excellence.
"(The student must show a) positive attitude, tremendous work ethic, high scholastic achievement at the undergraduate level and a demonstrated interest in health care," Burchfield said.
Burchfield named this year's beneficiary, Tara Osseck, an exemplary recipient for this year's award. "She met or exceeded all our criteria in regards to academic achievement, involvement in health, and work ethic," the health administration professor stated.
Osseck, a native of St. Charles, Mo., and a graduate of Truman State University, is very involved in health issues and started working toward her Master's in health administration this fall. Certified in nutrition and fitness assessment, a smoking cessation instructor, a Red Cross HIV prevention instructor, and a People with Arthritis Can Exercise geriatric instructor, Osseck is a student leader in current issues that face the health care industry.
As Miss Gateway St. Louis 2008 and a competitor in the Miss Missouri Pageant in June 2008, Osseck informs students of all ages about the risks of eating disorders. Osseck was awarded a graduate assistantship in August 2008 through Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, where she currently works in administration.
Burchfield shared his continued passion of encouraging students through Fitzgerald's lasting legacy.
"(Fitzgerald) wanted to see excellent students with high potential enter our program, and our faculty, in conjunction with our community partners, assist them in achieving that potential," Burchfield began.
He looks ahead to Fitzgerald's memory continuing to inspire future students: "He took us to the next level," Burchfield reminisced of his friend and colleague, "Every year, it gives us an additional chance to announce his impact on this program and enlighten students on his contributions. The growth of the scholarship fund also creates an opportunity for Dr. Fitzgerald's friends, colleagues and program alumni to meaningfully salute his life and his achievements."
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