Scholarship Testimonials
The SVEMG Medical Education Scholarship was established to support our dedicated SVH staff pursuing their dreams in the medical field. In partnership with the SVH Foundation, we are proud to offer this scholarship hospital-wide, assisting those who are studying to become Physician Assistants, Registered Nurses, Respiratory Therapists, or Physicians. Our goal is to empower our team members in their educational journey, ensuring they have the resources needed to succeed. Together, we can foster a brighter future in healthcare.
01 - Eddie Ojeda
Hartnell College
Hello, my name is Luis Eddie Ojeda, and I'm currently in my third semester of the Respiratory
Care Program at Hartnell College. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to
the SVEMG Medical Education Scholarship group for selecting me as a recipient of this
incredible award over the summer. This semester, I have dedicated myself to my studies, and I
cannot convey how thankful I am for this recognition. The scholarship funds have been really
helpful, assisting me with expenses such as textbooks, food, and transportation for my clinical
rotations. I have traveled extensively for my clinical experiences I have been doing my clinical
rotation at Santa Barbara, which has been an amazing journey that has significantly enhanced my
understanding of respiratory care and honed my skills. I am eager to apply what I have learned to
benefit my community. This program has helped me build confidence and appreciate the
importance of hard work. As I approach graduation, I am more excited than ever about pursuing
my dream job. Once again, I want to extend my sincere thanks to the SVEMG Medical
Education Scholarship for your generous support. This financial assistance has alleviated a great
deal of stress for me, and it has been a true blessing on my educational journey. I am genuinely
grateful for the trust you have placed in me and for this wonderful opportunity.
02 - Keegan Naval
Maurine Church Coburn School of Nursing
Hello! My name is Keegan, I am currently a Clinical Assistant at Salinas Valley Health ER and I started working at Salinas Valley Health ER in November 2015 as a Medical Scribe. I was accepted at Maurine Church Coburn School of Nursing at Monterey Peninsula College. The scholarship is such an incredible help. It covered my first semester tuition/fees and also covered the cost of some of my books. I did have to defer for a year but knowing that when I start school in August 2025 that I have the first semester paid for is a huge relief. I have been working closely with this wonderful group of physicians and the amount of support and guidance I have received while on the journey of getting into Nursing school has been tremendous. I am so grateful for the knowledge, mentorship, and counsel I have been fortunate enough to receive over the years. And I look forward to being able to continue working with this group as a nurse. To the Emergency Medicine Physicians Group at Salinas Valley Health I say a million thanks!
03 - Nancy Luong, MD
California University of Science and Medicine
SVEMG Scholarship: The SVEMG Scholarship has enabled me to purchase study resources that have become my holy grail. It is also deeply meaningful to be supported by a group that is quite literally the reason why I am where I am today.
SVEMG Impact: Working at SVMH as a scribe was my introduction to the field of medicine. While the job itself taught me a lot, it is the close mentorship from the physicians that has made a lasting impact. The physicians were invested in my learning and growth. They took time to get to know me, teach between patients, give feedback, and fostered a safe space for questions and learning. I truly felt like a part of the team. This experience prompted my initial spark to become a physician and the team fueled this passion to grow. Even years after working with them, SVEMG continues to be a source of support. When I'm not reaching out to the physicians for guidance, I still look to them as examples of the type of provider and advocate I hope to become.
Update: Dr. Luong is currently excelling in her residency in Emergency Medicine at Highland Hospital in Oakland. We are thrilled to celebrate her achievements and look forward to witnessing her future successes.
04 - Xena Refaie
College of Saint Mary
I am currently in my first year of the Physician Assistant Program at the College of Saint Mary. During my time working as a scribe in the emergency department at SVMH, I had the privilege of learning from the incredible ED physicians and PAs whose mentorship inspired and motivated me to continue pursuing my dream of becoming a Physician Assistant. The scholarship I received from the group has been a tremendous gift, allowing me to focus on my education without the weight of financial stress. It has enabled me to purchase the clinical equipment needed to develop the essential skills for my future career. Knowing that such dedicated professionals believe in me has given me confidence and encouragement, and I am profoundly grateful for the generosity of the ED physician group and their faith in my potential.
05 - Sallie Canumay, DO
Tuoro University California, Class of 2025
This scholarship not only helped me financially, but also gave me additional support towards reaching my goal. I used the scholarship funds for my medical school applications, and towards my deposit fee once I was accepted. As a first generation medical student, I often felt like my dream of being a physician was out of reach. The support (before and after receiving the scholarship) from the SVMH ED physicians was incredible and I'm confident in saying that I created life long mentorship. I couldn't be more thankful for this opportunity and look forward to seeing this scholarship make similar differences in the lives of other pre-medical students.