Courtesy Photo Medical scholarships were recently awarded to four area students by the MidMichigan Health Foundation’s Developmental Council. Pictured above, from left to right, are Kim Elkie representing Sheldon Elkie, Kalene Krisan, Amy Northrup, and Jameson Robarge.

ALPENA — MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena leadership and board members recently presented scholarships to four Alpena area students pursuing careers in medicine. Sheldon Elkie, Kalene Krisan, Amy Northrup and Jameson Robarge received MidMichigan Health Foundation’s Development Council scholarships.

Elkie received an Aliferis Medical scholarship in the amount of $500. Elkie is in a graduate program at Saginaw Valley State University for Occupational Therapy. He is a member of the SVSU track team and, when available, volunteers as an assistant coach at both Alpena Community College and Hillman High School. Elkie hopes to return to Alpena after completing his program to practice OT with kindness and compassion, serving his home community.

Krisan was awarded the Gerald Kramer Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $500. She holds an associate’s degree as a medical assistant and works at MidMichigan Physicians Group Family Medicine Clinic. She plans to further her education with the goal of a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She hopes to specialize in pediatrics or emergency medicine and practice in Alpena.

Northrup was awarded an Aliferis Medical scholarship in the amount of $1,000. She is in the doctoral program at University of Michigan-Flint pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner in the field of mental health. As a full-time student, Northrup also works full-time in the Behavioral Health Unit at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena. She looks forward to practicing in Alpena to continue making a difference in a field she feels is experiencing a shortage of providers.

Robarge received the DesOrmeau Nursing Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. He works at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena in the Intensive Care Unit and on the third floor of the Medical Center. This fall he will begin the BSN/MSN program at University of Michigan-Flint. He plans to continue working in Alpena advancing his skills in ICU and sharing his passion for nursing with future students like himself.

These scholarships were made possible by Bill and Mary DesOrmeau, June Kramer and Carlene Aliferis. Mary DesOrmeau was the former chief nursing officer at MidMichigan Health in Alpena, and Bill was an active community member. They are both retired and living near family downstate. Funding the Kramer scholarship is June Kramer and her family. This is a legacy gift in memory of June’s husband, Gerald, whose philosophy was always to help others. The Aliferis scholarship is in memory of pathologist Dr. Peter Aliferis and is funded by his family, as well as the annual Aliferis Race. All of these individuals recognize the value and importance of supporting education and quality healthcare in northeast Michigan.

The scholarship program at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena began in 2002 and has since awarded $71,000 in healthcare scholarships to local students. For more information, contact Ann Diamond, development director, MidMichigan Health Foundation at 989-356-7738 or ann.diamond@midmichigan.org.