We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 MEDEX Northwest Student Scholarships. There are seven scholarship categories, each named after an individual of particular importance to the MEDEX Northwest PA program and its history. Decisions are based primarily on the evaluation by MEDEX leadership of short essays submitted by the students with stated interests in specific scholarships. Congratulations to all!
Liza Benson Scholarship
Nicholas Stanton (Seattle Class 57) is the recipient of the 2025 Liza Benson Scholarship. Liza Benson was MEDEX Seattle Class 45 student who lost her life in a skiing accident upon returning to her native Wyoming for clinical rotations. This scholarship recognizes MEDEX students who share Liza’s spirit of adventure, and who have plans to practice in a wilderness or rural setting within the WWAMI region.
From Nicholas: Bringing medicine to those in rural areas and to those who seek the wilderness has been a calling of mine for years. Being able to walk the path that Liza and others blazed before me is a distinct privilege. I look forward to honoring her memory while serving in places that require not only a skilled hand but an adventurous heart. For as John Muir said, “The mountains are calling and I must go.”
Susan Vader Scholarship
Tracy Ravindran (Seattle Class 58) is the recipient of the 2025 Susan Vader Scholarship. Sue Vader graduated with MEDEX Class 27 and worked for several years with the Whidbey Community Physicians group. After Sue passed away, the clinic and her family established a scholarship fund in her name. This award goes to students with an interest in family practice or women’s health.
From Tracy: I am honored to have been awarded the 2025 Susan Vader Scholarship. Susan’s unwavering dedication to women’s health resonates with my own passion and I look forward to upholding the principles she championed and advancing her remarkable legacy.
Barbara Gunter-Flynn Scholarship
Caitlin Murray (Spokane Class 28) is the recipient of the 2025 Barbara Gunter-Flynn Scholarship. Barbara Gunter-Flynn graduated from MEDEX in 1979 and helped to launch the MEDEX Spokane campus. As a PA, Gunter-Flynn was committed to expanding care to the medically underserved. This scholarship goes to a student who is similarly inspirational and shares a commitment to service of the medically underserved.
From Caitlin: I am grateful to be receiving the Barbara Gunter-Flynn Scholarship. I have a passion for rural healthcare and I am excited to serve my community as a future PA. Thank you for your support of my education and career path.
Christopher A. Heim Memorial Student Support Fund
Chris Naeyaert (Seattle Class 58) is the recipient of the 2025 Christopher A. Heim Student Support Fund. Chris Heim was a graduate of Seattle MEDEX Class 41. Prior to becoming a PA, Chris served in the U.S. Army for 23 years as Special Forces medic and master sergeant. Chris had just established a private practice when his life was cut short in a motorcycle accident. This scholarship recognizes an outstanding military veteran among the current MEDEX student cohort.
From Chris: I am honored to receive the Christopher A. Heim Memorial Student Support Fund from MEDEX Northwest, which commemorates a MEDEX graduate and U.S. Army SOF veteran dedicated to service and leadership. During my 15 years in Special Operations Forces medicine—serving with Recon, MARSOC, and Naval Special Warfare—I’ve been fortunate to work alongside some of the most committed professionals in military medicine. This award is a reminder of the legacy I hope to uphold: “Forever shall I strive to maintain the tremendous reputation of those who went before me.”
Jennifer Johnston Scholarship
LaTaunya Smith (Anchorage Class 16) and Yizheng Logan (Kona Class 4) are co-recipients of the 2025 Jennifer Johnston Scholarship. Jennifer Johnston was the program Administrator and Admissions Director at MEDEX for 30 years. She funds this scholarship as a way to recognize students who have demonstrated tenacity at overcoming life’s hurdles, and a commitment to rise above significant obstacles on their pathway to becoming physician assistants.
From LaTaunya: I am truly grateful to receive the Jennifer Johnston Scholarship. I’m passionate about becoming a PA because I believe I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. This award offers valuable support that enables me to continue my journey as a PA. I am deeply honored to receive this scholarship and look forward to making a significant impact in the future.
From Yizheng: Thank you so much for the scholarship and this opportunity! This is a true highlight for me here on week two of my of emergency medicine rotation. Receiving this scholarship reminds me of why I am pursuing a PA career and pushes me to achieve this dream to better myself and my community.
Mike Merrill Scholarship
Derek Kastella (Spokane Class 27) is the recipient of the 2025 Mike Merrill Scholarship. Mike Merrill graduated with MEDEX Seattle Class 26 and worked in the ER at Group Health. After Mike passed away, his family and friends established an endowed scholarship fund to support students interested in a career in emergency medicine. This award goes to a second-year student planning to enter practice in emergency medicine.
From Derek: As someone who aspires to work in emergency medicine, this recognition is really encouraging. The scholarship eases some of the financial pressure and allows me to stay focused on developing the skills I’ll need to be an effective and supportive provider in fast-paced, high-pressure settings. I appreciate the investment MEDEX and the Merrill family are making in students like me. It really does make a difference.
Ruth Ballweg Endowed Fund for Leadership in MEDEX
Mahlia Harniss (Seattle Class 58) and Madison Matson (Kona Class 5) are the recipients of the 2025 Ruth Ballweg Endowed Fund for Leadership in MEDEX. Ruth Ballweg, MPH, PA-C Emeritus (1944-2022) served for 29 years as the Program Director of MEDEX Northwest and oversaw the expansion of campus sites to Spokane, Yakima, Anchorage, and Tacoma. In 2017, she created the Endowed Fund for Leadership in MEDEX to support current MEDEX students in their development of leadership roles within the profession.
From Mahlia: I am honored and grateful to be selected as a recipient of the Ruth Ballweg Scholarship. Ruth Ballweg’s legacy of leadership, advocacy, and commitment to expanding access to care through the PA profession is inspiring, and I am proud to carry that mission forward. This scholarship will allow me to attend the AAPA Conference, where I will present an e-poster on the impact of PAs in rural and underserved communities, participate in the House of Delegates as a volunteer, and continue building the skills necessary to become an effective advocate for our profession. I’m truly thankful for this support and excited for the opportunity.
From Madison: I am honored to receive the 2025 Ruth Ballweg Award, which will allow me to attend AAPA to increase my knowledge on topics important in the medical field and network with other PAs to better serve our communities. Representing underserved communities was a critical part of my career before attending MEDEX. Ruth Ballweg’s legacy in advancing PA education and advocacy is deeply inspiring, and I am grateful for the opportunity to uphold the values she has championed. This scholarship reinforces my commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care and serving communities in need.
Dr. Richard Smith Scholarship
Dr. Richard Smith was the originator of the MEDEX Northwest program and a founding father of the PA profession. This award goes to potential leaders and visionaries who exhibit a commitment to increasing access to healthcare for the underserved. Five students, one from each of the five MEDEX campuses, are awarded the prestigious 2025 Richard Smith Scholarship: Tracy Ravindran (Seattle Class 58), Angel Adams (Kona Class 4), Chloe Conlon (Anchorage Class 16), Teran Lara (Tacoma Class 12) and Bryce Dreslinski (Spokane Class 28).
From Tracy: Throughout my adult life, I have pursued one constant goal: to serve those who need it most. This commitment aligns deeply with the MEDEX mission established by Dr. Smith, which is why receiving the 2025 Dr. Richard Smith Scholarship is such an extraordinary honor. I am profoundly grateful for this recognition and look forward to continuing Dr. Smith’s legacy.
From Angel: I am truly blessed to receive this prestigious award named after Dr. Richard Smith, a pioneer in the PA profession and a champion for change. I accept this responsibility with the understanding that my actions impact those around me. Advocating for equity in healthcare is a shared duty for all who strive to ensure access for everyone. I recognize the determinants of health and the barriers we face as healthcare professionals, particularly in reaching underserved communities. I am proud to be part of a program that embodies Dr. Smith’s vision and stands for human rights, especially in a climate where it is easy to conform to the status quo. I aspire to inspire future PAs at MEDEX and beyond to uphold Dr. Smith’s dream of universal healthcare access. Mahalo for this honor. I hope to leave my own footprints alongside the giants like Dr. Richard Smith.
From Chloe: I am honored to receive the Dr. Richard Smith Scholarship, which reflects a dedication to expanding healthcare access in rural and underserved communities. Many Alaskans face significant barriers to timely and effective care, especially in remote regions. As a healthcare provider, I know I will need to be creative in patient care, viewing each as an individual with unique needs. My goal is to bridge these gaps by ensuring patients receive clear discharge instructions and access to essential resources for recovery and long-term health. I am committed to helping patients feel confident and supported during and after leaving their healthcare facility. As I advance in my medical journey, I hope to continue Dr. Smith’s dedication to addressing healthcare disparities through education and leadership.
From Teran: I am so honored and grateful to receive this scholarship and the support it represents. I am proud to have been given the opportunity to share my story as a descendant of individuals whose strength and resilience continue to inspire me. Being accepted into PA school marks a transformative moment for me as I recognize the privilege I will have to make a meaningful impact in healthcare. I am committed to serving a community that has faced significant challenges in healthcare while demonstrating incredible perseverance. My goal is to harmonize my passion for medicine with my ancestral heritage, creating a future where both thrive together. Thank you for believing in me and empowering me on my journey as a future MEDEX graduate.
From Bryce: I’m incredibly honored to receive the Dr. Richard Smith Scholarship at MEDEX. His motto, “multiply my healing hands,” perfectly captures why I chose this path. I believe everyone deserves access to quality, compassionate healthcare, and this scholarship fuels my commitment to serve communities that are often overlooked. It’s more than financial support, it’s a reminder of my purpose and the impact I hope to have as a future PA. I strive to never lose sight of the whys that brought me here or the village that helped make this dream, so similar to Dr. Smith’s, a reality. With deep gratitude, I look forward to honoring his legacy by extending care where it’s needed most.
Click here for more information on MEDEX Northwest Student Scholarships.