This year’s recipients of the 2024 Eaton Rapids Medical Center (ERMC) Foundation Scholarship are Grace Lehto and Meagan Treadwell. Each received $1,000 toward continuing education in the medical field.
Both recipients graduated high school within the area and currently attend Central Michigan University (CMU). Lehto is majoring in biochemistry and plans to begin her journey in medical school this fall at CMU College of Medicine.
“I was inspired to become a physician at a very young age,” said Lehto. “Since then, I have cultivated a deep service mindset through my life experiences and my values within my faith. I have found great joy in serving others in the medical field format, which I have learned through extensive clinical experience.”
Lehto worked for Dr. Gregory Messenger at Messenger Dermatology for two years as a medical assistant and has scribed for Dr. Rafid Yousif at Lansing Institute of Urology.
During her time in college, she was an active leader of the CMU varsity softball team, Special Projects Manager of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Bible Study Leader of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a member of the pre-med club.
Treadwell is currently majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in American Sign Language and Pre-Med.
“I was inspired by my parents to go into medicine,” said Treadwell. “My mom was in and out of the hospital many times, so I grew up around healthcare.”
Treadwell has unfortunately suffered the loss of both her parents in the past years. “I have a long road ahead in my pursuit of a medical education,” said Treadwell. “My exposure to various medical illnesses that my family has experienced has fueled my fascination with the healthcare environment and my determination to become a physician so that I can help and serve others.”
Treadwell has worked at ERMC in the Med/Surg department since June 2023 and served as one of the volunteer coordinators for the Health Professions Residential College, where she planned and organized volunteer events that provide students the opportunity to give back to the community.
The ERMC Foundation offers a $1,000 scholarship each year to a high school senior or undergraduate student who plans to pursue a degree in the healthcare field. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide local students with assistance in entering the healthcare field.