Schroeder Awarded Physician Memorial Scholarship

Wilson Memorial Hospital recently announced the recipient of the 6^th Annual Physician Memorial Scholarship. This year’s scholarship winner is Cara Schroeder of Sidney.

Established following the death of Bruce C. Urbanc, D.O., in 2008, the scholarship is a joint effort of the Wilson Memorial Hospital medical staff and the hospital. The scholarship is awarded to a student who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a fully accredited school of medicine or osteopathic medicine in the continental United States. The student must be a Shelby County high school graduate.

“We recently awarded $2,000 to Cara to assist on her journey through medical school,” said Dr. Robert McDevitt, chief of staff at Wilson Memorial. Members of Wilson’s Medical Staff Executive Committee were charged with making the final selection. Members of the committee include, Dr. Robert McDevitt, Dr. Paul Thorpe, Dr. Kenneth Bosslet, Dr. Frederick Simpson, Dr. Michael Trygstad, and David Andrick, director of physician recruitment and relations.

Schroeder is a second year medical student at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine. Former Associate Professor of Community Health and Pediatrics at Wright State University and currently Associate Director of the Center for Bioethics at The Ohio State University, Dr. Ashley Fernandes said, “Although a second year medical student, Cara has already distinguished herself as a leader- active in medical school leadership including the student sections of the Association of American Medical Colleges and the Catholic Medical Association, where she is president.”

Schroeder is a former graduate of Lehman High School and received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio.

“I credit my many medical experiences as the reason I am currently studying to be a doctor,” said Schroeder. “I hope I can pay forward the wonderful experiences that I have had with my doctors.”

Shortly after Schroeder was born she was diagnosed with diastrophic dysplasia, a disorder of cartilage and bone development.

“I try not to focus on my condition, and most of the time I forget I even have it. I just happen to be a little shorter and walk with a unique gait,” smiles Schroeder. “I will not let my bone dysplasia limit me from my dreams. I may just take a different route than others.”

For information about the scholarship program, visit wilsonhealth.org. For information on how to make a donation to the Physician Memorial Scholarship Fund, please contact the medical staff office at (937) 498-5335, or mail your donation to Wilson Memorial Hospital, Attn: Medical Staff Office, 915 W. Michigan Street, Sidney, Ohio 45365. Please make checks payable to:  Wilson Memorial Hospital Medical Staff.  All donations are tax deductible.