Graduating high school seniors Eliza Aronson, Kate Bakken, Hayden Banks, Taylor Bryant, Savanna Kyser and Nellie Shoemaker will each be awarded a $1,500 college scholarship from the Slocum Research & Education Foundation on May 14, 2019. Funded by a donation from the physicians and surgeons at the Slocum Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, the Slocum Foundation’s Scholarship Program recognizes well-rounded high school seniors who plan to pursue a career in health care, health-related research or public/community health.

“The applicant pool this year was really impressive,” says Dr. Jason Tavakolian, orthopedic surgeon at the Slocum Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine and longtime Slocum Foundation board member. “We really believe in this year’s group of scholarship recipients,” continues Tavakolian, “and that’s one of our goals — to be able to tell these students that the board members from our community and 26 Slocum physicians have no doubt they will be able to accomplish great things.” 

The 2019 Slocum Scholarship recipients come from five different high schools within Lane County. “We are also encouraged that all six graduating seniors have elected to stay in Oregon for college,” states Dr. Nicholas Strasser, the newest Slocum orthopedic surgeon to join the foundation’s board of directors. 

Slocum will host the annual Scholarship Reception on Tuesday, May 14, at 5 p.m. at the Slocum Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. “It’s one of our favorite events of the year,” reflects Dr. Tavakolian. “Through the application essays, we become really invested in their journey toward a career in medicine; we want to meet these students who have already demonstrated so much resilience and grit.” 

More information regarding this year’s scholarship recipients and the scholarship program can be found on the Slocum Foundation’s website at www.slocumfoundation.org. Scholarship applications will be due in February next year.