Two SCU MSPA Students Recognized & Rewarded by Exxat for Academic Excellence
Winners of the Exxat Student Scholarship for the 2022-23 Academic Year
Exxat is all-in-one Education Management Platform for Health Sciences. It’s a platform used by SCU clinical programs to track students’ clinical rotation requirements. Exxat supports all aspects of health sciences education, including the students who are the future of healthcare.
Each year, Exxat awards scholarships to students who exemplify excellence in Scholarly Productivity, Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership, and Care for Underserved Communities.
This year, two SCU Master of Science: Physician Assistant (MSPA) students are being recognized by Exxat for their academic excellence.
SCU Class of 2023 MSPA Student Kerwin Perez: Care for Underserved Communities Award
SCU Class of 2023 MSPA Student Kerwin Perez has been awarded one of the 2022 Exxat “Care for Underserved Communities Awards.” Reaching out to underserved communities involves helping these communities overcome the obstacles they face when seeking care. Winners of this award play an instrumental role in removing these barriers.
Kerwin has volunteered at numerous hospitals and free clinics, has interacted with underserved patients as an EMT, and will continue to be involved with the underserved community with a commitment as a result of a three-year contract as a recipient of the National Health Service Corps scholarship. “Once I graduate, I will be working as a PA in medically-underserved communities. Receiving this Exxat scholarship will help me further my cause of being an advocate for the underserved communities with goals to increase awareness, access to resources, and breaking down barriers and stigmas,” said Kerwin.
“Despite the time commitment required academically by students in our program, Kerwin finds the time to volunteer with the Los Angeles Mission where he works with homeless communities around LA,” said MSPA Program Director Melanie Catalano, MSPA, PA-C. “Prior to this, Kerwin volunteered with the Pomona Free Clinic and Langley Senior Citizen Center where he provided patient education and assisted the underserved in accessing timely healthcare services. Additionally, Kerwin served as a Community Outreach Prevention and Education (COPE) scholar and was the recipient of the National Health Service Corps Scholarship where he has committed to working in an underserved community for three years after graduation. Kerwin is a truly compassionate and empathetic student with a keen awareness of the
need for improved patient-centered care and cultural competency in medicine. He is a student who I envision will truly make a difference in the lives of the underserved throughout his career as a future PA.”
Congratulations, Kerwin! Way to represent SCU and keep up the great work!
SCU Class of 2022 MSPA Student Kelsey Wentz: Scholarly Productivity Award
SCU Class of 2022 MSPA Student Kelsey Wentz has been awarded one of the 2022 Exxat “Scholarly Productivity Awards.” Evidence-based practice is at the heart of providing the best possible care for all patients. Students selected for this award have made invaluable contributions to their profession’s body of evidence.
“I am advocating for the PA profession as so many other PAs have done before me,” said Kelsey. “It was the enthusiasm of practicing PAs and PA students that drew me to the field those many years ago. So now, I hope to do my part and continue that passion that inspires so many. At the end of the day, test scores and GPA do not mean much if one’s heart is not in it. I believe my compassion and empathy make my scholarly achievements that much more valuable.”
“Throughout her time in our program, Kelsey has achieved one of the highest GPAs in her class and has been an exceptional student, despite our program’s rigor,” said PA Catalano. “Kelsey is a self-motivated learner and exhibits exceptional knowledge and procedural skills in the classroom. Kelsey is someone who serves as an example to other PA students through her eagerness to learn and clinical competence. I envision her being an excellent PA in the future.”
Congratulations, Kelsey! Way to represent SCU and keep up the great work!
Applications for the 2023-24 academic year will be available March 1, 2023. To learn more about Exxat scholarship opportunities, visit the Exxat scholarship page.