Tenth Annual AMN/HCC Scholarship Essay Contest

Three Local High School Students Win 10th Annual AMN/HCC Scholarship
Student Essays Demonstrate Passion for Healthcare

Three San Diego County high school students, Isabella Watson, Rubén Vega Pérez and Hung Phuoc Nguyen, have been named recipients of the 10th Annual AMN/HCC San Diego Scholarship Essay Contest presented by the Health Care Communicators (HCC) of San Diego County and AMN Healthcare.

Since 2003, the AMN Healthcare-sponsored scholarship is awarded to the high school or college student who best exemplifies excellence in his/her pursuit of a career in health care. To commemorate the scholarship’s 10-year mark, AMN increased its scholarship pledge to honor three local students whose heartfelt essays demonstrated a passion for their chosen field of health care. This year a record 44 entries were submitted by students. The scholarship is made possible through a partnership between AMN and HCC.

Carol Johnson, Vice President of Sourcing & Digital Marketing, AMN Healthcare, presented Watson with a check for $2,000. Pérez and Nguyen were each awarded $1,000. The scholarships were handed out at The HCC Finest Awards, held April 18, 2013, at the San Diego Marriott, La Jolla.

“The essays received this year were impressive, even emotional,” said Johnson. “But in the end, the stories that Isabella, Rubén and Hung each shared captured an exceptional drive and passion for making a difference toward health care delivery. As noted by their faculty recommendations, I have no doubt that these talented young students will each make their mark in health care in the coming years.”

Watson was born in Templeton, California, and is a student at The Bishop’s School, La Jolla. Her childhood was unique and culturally diverse, as she traveled the world with her family, allowing her to experience life from a milieu of multicultural perspectives. At an early age, an unexpected family tragedy helped to solidify Watson’s wish to pursue neuroscience, with an ultimate goal to use her skills to help those living in third world countries.

Pérez was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and attends Southwest High School. For the past 10 years, Pérez has called San Diego home. A bright child and avid reader, he taught himself English at a very early age. Pérez is an active volunteer who advocates for improved access to health care and higher education in the Latino community. He will be the second person in his family to attend a four-year university, and looks forward to majoring in neuroscience at Stanford, Yale or Princeton this fall.
 

Nguyen is a senior at Kearny High School of Science Connections & Technology. In 2007, Nguyen’s family emigrated from Vietnam to the United States in search of a brighter future. His thirst for higher education has been fueled by parents who were not afforded the same educational opportunities we have in this country. In the fall, Nguyen plans to attend UC Santa Cruz and double major in biology and chemistry, after which he plans to attend medical school at Johns Hopkins. Ultimately, Nguyen wishes to apply his skills to help those living in impoverished regions of Africa.

About AMN Healthcare
AMN Healthcare is the innovator in healthcare workforce solutions and staffing services to healthcare facilities across the nation. AMN Healthcare's workforce solutions - including managed services programs and recruitment process outsourcing - enable providers to successfully reduce complexity, increase efficiency and improve patient outcomes within the rapidly evolving healthcare environment. The Company provides unparalleled access to the largest network of quality clinicians and physicians through its innovative recruitment strategies and breadth of career opportunities. Clients include acutecare hospitals, government facilities, community health centers and clinics, physician practice groups and many other healthcare settings. For more information, visit http://www.amnhealthcare.com.