The MEDEX program offers scholarship opportunities based on funds honoring members of the MEDEX family. These scholarships are described here along with a list of recent awardees.
At graduation in August, graduating students across all campuses are presented with awards voted on by the faculty. These awards recognize commitment to the medically underserved, leadership potential, displaying the spirit of MEDEX and other qualities. Awards and recipients from recent years are listed below.
MEDEX students are recognized for exceptional achievement in the care of, improved access for or promotion of public awareness of the needs of the medically underserved. This award is presented to students who have demonstrated a strong dedication to ongoing service to underserved communities.
The Advisory Committee for the Anchorage campus wishes to recognize and
encourage service in and dedication to underserved communities.
This award recognizes and encourages service in and dedication to underserved communities.
This award recognizes and encourages service in and dedication to underserved communities.
Dr. Layton was a long-term chair of the MEDEX advisory board. His record of community involvement and work with medically underserved populations inspired this award.
Barbara Gunter Flynn was the site coordinator for both Yakima (1994–1997) and
Spokane (1997–2002). Her commitment to providing health care to the medically
underserved and also to teaching and mentoring PA students made her a role model for
both PAs and PA students throughout the state of Washington and beyond. This
memorial award recognizes and encourages service in and dedication to underserved
communities.
Dr. Coombs was the Associate Dean for Regional Affairs and Rural Health in the School of Medicine and had a long record of promoting the PA profession. This award is presented to students who have become role models to their peers, have assumed some of the responsibilities of leadership during their education, and have carried out those responsibilities with integrity, cooperation, and understanding.
Mary Reed graduated from MEDEX in 1983. Her husband, Joe Reed, worked with the Washington Association of Physician Assistants to establish this memorial award that honors Mary’s commitment to academic excellence. The award goes to the one MEDEX student who has achieved the highest GPA among all campuses during the didactic year.
The awards recognizes students who have dedicated themselves to their goal of being a physician assistant, who have shown compassion and sensitivity to others and who have maintained their humor and perseverance in the face of adversity. They have a positive attitude and are ambassadors for the program throughout their MEDEX education.
The Steven Turnipseed, PA-C Veterans Award goes to a MEDEX graduate for service to country, class and community. Steve was the sole African-American among the first members of MEDEX Class 1 in 1969. Like all his classmates, Steve came to MEDEX as a veteran of the military, specifically, 10 years in the US Army with the 1st Special Forces Group in counter-intelligence and psychological warfare in Northeast Thailand along the Cambodian and Laotian borders. He was recruited by Dr. Richard A. Smith for the inaugural PA program at MEDEX. Smith once described Turnipseed as “one of the most wonderful human beings I know. He has incredible skills, both people skills and medical skills.” Fluent in both German and Spanish, despite the fact he didn’t have a high school education, Steve later got his GED and received his bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Public Health. During the preceptorship phase of his MEDEX education, Steve was placed in an urban Seattle hospital setting—Group Health Central on Capitol Hill. He worked there for a number of years, ran an outpatient clinic and developed a highly successful addiction treatment services program.
This award is given to students who have combined creativity and unique approaches with exceptional writing skills in assigned papers.
For a list of previous recipients of MEDEX awards, please see below. Select any year to expand the full listing.
The Spirit of MEDEX Award
QUINSEY JORGENSON-DELACRUZ ANCHORAGE 13
ANELA LOCKWOOD KONA 2
LIA POLU KONA 2
RYAN CHURCH SEATTLE 55
BRIANNE BOREN SPOKANE 25
LAUREN NICOLE KALTZ TACOMA 9
Steven Turnipseed, PA-C Veterans Award
ANDREW ASHTON ANCHORAGE 13
PAUL KYLE KONA 2
MAYRA TALLEY SEATTLE 55
TIMOTHY BEGGS SPOKANE 25
DANI HAMILTON TACOMA 9
Student Writing Award
KARSEN CULLEN ANCHORAGE 13
NYSSA SEATON KONA 2
EMILY PRASIL SEATTLE 55
ANN RAREY SEATTLE 55
RUBY GRISWOLD SPOKANE 25
KELLY MIYASHIRO TACOMA 9
ANCHORAGE UNDERSERVED AWARD CINDY HENRY ANCHORAGE 13
ELLEN HARDER UNDERSERVED AWARD MADDIE PYATT TACOMA 9
KONA UNDERSERVED AWARD HEATHER HENNING KONA 2
RICHARD LAYTON UNDERSERVED AWARD MICHELLE HOWDEN SEATTLE 55
BARBARA GUNTER-FLYNN UNDERSERVED AWARD NIKKI HENRY SPOKANE 25
The John B. Coombs Leadership Award
GRACE A. ZIMMERMAN ANCHORAGE 13
DANI LAIRD KONA 2
TED PARKER SEATTLE 55
ALLISON LUEDKE SPOKANE 25
ELIZABETH BOUDREAU TACOMA 9
Mary Reed Award
TAYLOR DEAL ANCHORAGE 13
The Spirit of MEDEX Award
Nasheed Burgess, Seattle 54
Dohyun Kim, Seattle 54
Laura Rebecca Hudecek, Spokane 24
Chelsea Mae Olsen, Tacoma 8
Ciara Stoutenburgh, Anchorage 12
Mary Perez, Anchorage 12
Elizabeth Jimenezm, Kona 1
The John B. Coombs Leadership Award
Jazmin Marie Tablazon, Seattle 54
Tim Mahnke, Spokane 24
Nikki Samuel, Tacoma 8
Carol Lynn Shields, Anchorage 12
Devin Tamotsu Tanaka, Kona 1
Barbara Gunter-Flynn Award
Spencer Alrick Hale, Spokane 24
Ellen Harder Award
Zoe Bin Olive Weinberg, Tacoma 8
Alaska Underserved Service Award
Victoria A. Buckmeier, Anchorage 12
Kona Underserved Service Award
Andrew Miscovich, Kona 1
Steven Turnipseed, PA-C Veterans Award
Dallin David Peterson, Seattle 54
The Seamus Burke, Spokane 24
Shinsung Yook, Tacoma 8
James Nguyen, Kona 1
The Mary Reed Award
Sarianna Rae Lerch, Spokane 24
The Student Writing Award
Maninderpal Sethi, Seattle 54
Meganne Austin, Spokane 24
Patrick Carpenter, Tacoma 8
Melanie Beale, Anchorage 12
Carey Colbert, Kona 1
Chelsea Kern, Kona 1
The Spirit of MEDEX Award
Phoebe Bryson-Cahn, Seattle 53
Samuel Driver, Spokane 23
Michelle Stiles, Spokane 23
Andreas Villacota, Tacoma 7
Star Sakis, Anchorage 11
The John B. Coombs Leadership Award
Alexandria Lahdya, Seattle 53
Collin Randal, Spokane 23
Brian Nobach, Tacoma 7
Olivia Gregg, Anchorage 11
Barbara Gunter-Flynn Award
Zachary Pollock, Spokane 23
Ellen Harder Award
Mariah Eastman, Tacoma 7
Alaska Underserved Service Award
Kelsey Miller, Anchorage 11
Steven Turnipseed, PA-C Veterans Award
Bridgette Zuckerman, Seattle 53
Steven Howze, Seattle 53
Collin Randall, Spokane 23
Daniel Muro, Tacoma 7
Thomas McArthur, Anchorage 11
The Mary Reed Award
Rene Sinclair, Spokane 23
The Student Writing Award
Zachary Thorgrimson, Seattle 53
Heather Labbe, Spokane 23
Nicolette Baharie, Tacoma 7
Erica Arthur, Anchorage 11
The Spirit of MEDEX Award
Nirupama Jayagopal, Seattle 52
Lauren Trew, Spokane 22
Kusuma Ayithepalli, Tacoma 6
Entire Class, Anchorage 10
The John B. Coombs Leadership Award
Joseph Starzl, Seattle 52
Annan Sheffield, Spokane 22
Rebekah Gorman, Tacoma 6
Jean Morello, Anchorage 10
Barbara Gunter-Flynn Award
Heidi Youmans, Spokane 22
Ellen Harder Award
Tyson Bradley, Tacoma 6
Alaska Underserved Service Award
Yanet Medina, Anchorage 10
Steven Turnipseed, PA-C Veterans Award
Christopher Hilton, Seattle 52
Coty Holm, Spokane 22
Sarah Clark, Tacoma 6
Robin Morris, Anchorage 10
The Mary Reed Award
Julia Snider, Spokane 22
The Student Writing Award
Tiffany Dam, Seattle 52
Mark Simyly, Spokane 22
Samantha Miller, Tacoma 6
Isabel Hakala, Anchorage 10
The Spirit of MEDEX Award
Danielle Satow, Seattle 51
Matt Grisso, Spokane 21
Marisol Salazar, Tacoma 5
Entire Class, Anchorage 9
The John B. Coombs Leadership Award
Alex Pelman, Seattle 51
Eric Anderies, Spokane 21
Brittany Hager, Tacoma 5
Suzanne Smerjac, Anchorage 9
Barbara Gunter-Flynn Award
Hershell Cummings, Spokane 21
Ellen Harder Award
Kayt Fowlerm, Tacoma 5
Alaska Underserved Service Award
Jenelle Johnson, Anchorage 9
Steven Turnipseed, PA-C Veterans Award
Paul Hastings, Seattle 51
Stephanie Vickery, Tacoma 5
Molly “Q” Reque, Anchorage 9
The Mary Reed Award
Jenna Emily Gilbert, Seattle 51
The Student Writing Award
Jeffery Gallagher, Seattle 51
Rhiannon Evans, Spokane 21
Brian Andrew, Tacoma 5
Hailey Lankford, Anchorage 9
The Spirit of MEDEX Award
Benjamin Douglas Johnson, Anchorage 8
Andrea Charmayne Smith, Seattle 50
Noah James Chutz, Spokane 20
Brianne Sheree Noel, Tacoma 4
The John B. Coombs Leadership Award
John Reese Bradburn, Tacoma 4
Dayna Maria Daku, Anchorage 8
Cody Robert Solders, Spokane 20
Douglas Harvey Stroop, Seattle 50
Richard Layton Award
Christopher Pitre, Seattle 50
Barbara Gunter-Flynn Award
Michaela Sarah Whitmore, Spokane 20
Ellen Harder Award
Olivia LeAnn Price, Tacoma 4
Alaska Underserved Service Award
Pearl Margaret Churchill, Anchorage 8
Steven Turnipseed, PA-C Veterans Award
Lillooet Ann Bryner, Tacoma 4
Glenn Lamarr Sons, Jr., Tacoma 4
Ashley Ann Ajoah Boge, Anchorage 8
Brendan Joseph Finn, Seattle 50
Ryan Patrick Kraeger, Seattle 50
The Mary Reed Award
Paul Robert Hughes, Seattle 50
The Student Writing Award
Sara BreAnn Langford, Achorage 8
Matthew Robert McGady, Seattle 50
Emily Ann Looze, Spokane 20
Jaynesha Marie Williams, Tacoma 4
The Spirit of MEDEX Award
Brian D. Pierce, Anchorage 7
Loann Tang, Seattle 49
Joseph Epperson, Spokane 19
Alfred Noriega, Tacoma 3
The John B. Coombs Leadership Award
Kathryn Elizabeth Albert, Anchorage 7
Gwendolyn M. Jackson, Seattle 49
Naomi Taylor, Spokane 19
Jason Nathaniel Shepherd, Tacoma 3
Richard Layton Award
Stephanie Mack Harmon, Seattle 49
Barbara Gunter-Flynn Award
Sara Steffen, Spokane 19
Ellen Harder Award
David M. Johnson, Tacoma 3
Alaska Underserved Service Award
Angela Britt, Anchorage 7
Steven Turnipseed, PA-C Veterans Award
Michael Grennan, Seattle 49
Kellen R. Gumm, Spokane 19
Sung Don Lee, Tacoma 3
The Mary Reed Award
Alison Krueger, Seattle 49
The Student Writing Award
Tara Wood, Anchorage 7
Sarah Heniges, Seattle 49
Casey Deal, Spokane 19
Jennifer Moore, Tacoma 3
The Spirit of MEDEX Award
Ila Nicole Champine, Anchorage 6
Pam Michelle Tittle, Anchorage 6
Ismail Jatta, Seattle 48
Staci Lynn DuMerton, Spokane 18
Aisling Brooke Cearley, Tacoma 2
The John B. Coombs Leadership Award
Jeremy L Rosiecki, Anchorage 6
Ariel Noelle Turner, Seattle 48
Tucker Lloyd Larsen, Spokane 18
Amber N Dahnke, Tacoma 2
Richard Layton Award
Simon Mendoza Moreno, Seattle 48
Barbara Gunter-Flynn Award
Kelly Lorraine Herbst, Spokane 18
Ellen Harder Award
Richard Lee Massey, Tacoma 2
Alaska Underserved Service Award
Richard Burnton Eaton, Anchorage 6
Lara C VanHoozer, Anchorage 6
Steven Turnipseed, PA-C Veterans Award
Brandon M Ware, Tacoma 2
Janina Tandoc Browne, Seattle 48
The Mary Reed Award
Calvin Patrick Schenk, Spokane 18
The Student Writing Award
David Monroe Arthur, Anchorage 6
Joshua John Lumsden, Seattle 48
Stephen Andrew Shepro, Spokane 18
Robert Rodgers, Tacoma 2
The Spirit of MEDEX Award
Chipepo Mugala, Seattle 47
Deana Katherine Glick, Anchorage 5
Emily LK Seidl, Anchorage 5
Cheri Gregson, Spokane 17
Marjorie Grace Fisher, Tacoma Cass 1
The John B. Coombs Leadership Award
Stephen R. Poggi, Anchorage 5
Matthew H. Smith, Seattle 47
Rose Jones, Spokane 17
Tracie Marie Alberts, Tacoma 1
Richard Layton Award
Sarith Keo, Seattle 47
Barbara Gunter-Flynn Award
David A. Fine, Spokane 17
Ellen Harder Award
Kate Osborne, Tacoma 1
Michael Carter, Tacoma 1
Alaska Underserved Service Award
Maria Drita Rollins, Anchorage 5
The Student Writing Award
Zachary Ritter, Anchorage 5
Amy Mohelnitzky, Seattle 47
Sara Zimmer, Spokane 17
Alma Jimenez, Tacoma 1
Alaska Underserved Service Award
Quana Lee Ticket, Anchorage 4
Barbara Gunter-Flynn Award
Tracy Mae Wickersham-Frey, Spokane 16
Glenn Doornik Underserved
Raul Mendoza, Yakima 18
The John B. Coombs Leadership Award
Christopher Richard Cox, Seattle 46
Matthew Kelly Loudon, Anchorage 4
Andrew David Ashford, Spokane 16
Christopher Ryan Vardy
The Mary Reed Award
Katrina H. Schneider, Spokane 16
Richard Layton Underserved
Evan Joseph Ludmer, Seattle 46
The Spirit of MEDEX Award
Juanita E. Elliott – Seattle Class 46
Christopher David Dietrich – Anchorage Class 4
Meagan Meekin Rector – Anchorage Class 4
Rachel Elizabeth Ragosta – Spokane Class 16
Dustin Wade Golding – Yakima Class 19
The Student Writing Award
Ashley Dawn McCulley, Seattle 46
Matija Elizabeth Meenaghan, Anchorage 4
Katrina H. Schneider, Spokane 16
Aaron Timothy Newton, Yakima 19
Alaska Underserved Service Award
Patricia Jean Cushman, Anchorage 3
Barbara Gunter-Flynn Award
Mathew James Redahl, Spokane 15
Glenn Doornik Underserved
Raul Mendoza, Yakima 18
The John B. Coombs Leadership Award
Thomas James DeBlauw, Anchorage 3
Leah Michelle Yoke, Seattle 45
Dominick Michael Valentine, Spokane 15
Merdad Meraban, Yakima 18
The Mary Reed Award
Cora Salome Fix, Seattle 45
Richard Layton Underserved
James Ross Noonan, Seattle 45
Pam D. Voltz, Seattle 45
The Spirit of MEDEX Award
Wendy Caroline Monteon, Seattle 44
Maurice Anthony Adkins, Spokane 14
Kimberly Rae Abella-Cree, Yakima 17
Matthew Thomas Smith, Anchorage 2
The Student Writing Award
Tonda Anderson, Seattle 45
Margaret Clare Waechter, Spokane 15
Cami K. Zobel, Anchorage 3
Nathan Fite, Yakima 18
Alaska Underserved Service Award
Anna D. Frisby, Anchorage 2
Barbara Gunter-Flynn Award
Christopher John Mu, Spokane 14
Glenn Doornik Underserved
Francisco Javier Cornidez, Yakima 17
The John B. Coombs Leadership Award
David Stuart Braun, Seattle 44
Christine Marie Yennaco, Seattle 44
Kali Ann Arthurs, Spokane 14
Ryan Mark Dutton, Yakima 17
Jeffery M. Stubblefield, Anchorage 2
The Mary Reed Award
Christine Marie Yennaco, Seattle 44
Richard Layton Underserved
Kimberlee M. Gold, Seattle 44
The Spirit of MEDEX Award
Wendy Caroline Monteon, Seattle 44
Maurice Anthony Adkins, Spokane 14
Kimberly Rae Abella-Cree, Yakima 17
Matthew Thomas Smith, Anchorage 2
The Student Writing Award
Nannette Fulp, Anchorage 2
James Michael Hebrlee, Jr, Yakima 17
Paul Carbaugh, Spokane 14
Melissa Witteveen, Seattle 44
Alaska Underserved Service Award
Katie Copps-Wilson, Anchorage 1
Barbara Gunter-Flynn Award
Zandra Magali Melchor, Spokane 13
Glenn Doornik Underserved
Robert H. Kubiniec, Yakima 16
The John B. Coombs Leadership Award
Douglas Dedo, Seattle 43
Taryn Michelle Richlie, Spokane 13
William A. Roberts, Yakima 16
Bradley Thomas Newhart, Anchorage 1
The Mary Reed Award
Even Robert Evanson, Anchorage 1
Richard Layton Underserved
Khampho Ohno, Seattle 43
The Spirit of MEDEX Award
Jillanna Allen, Seattle 43
Andrew A. Becker, Spokane 13
Robert Johnsen, Yakima 16
Janelle Dupuis, Anchorage 1