[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 7, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2016 UNITED HEALTH FOUNDATIONS DIVERSE SCHOLARS

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                           HON. ERIK PAULSEN

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 7, 2016

  Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, continuing to modernize the health care 
system requires improving the quality and delivery of health care, the 
backbone of which is the health care workforce. I am pleased to have 
the opportunity today to talk about a group of students from across the 
country who represent some of the brightest individuals preparing to 
enter the health care workforce. This year's United Health Foundation 
Diverse Scholars Initiative scholarship recipients represent 36 states.
  They are working hard in their undergraduate and graduate programs--
whether they are studying to be doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, 
public health specialists, or technicians--to increase the number of 
skilled professionals entering the health care workforce.
  Beyond their academic achievements, I would also like to recognize 
their commitment to making the health care system more culturally 
relevant and their dedication to improving the health outcomes of the 
individuals they will one day serve. Research shows that when people 
are treated by health professionals who share their language, culture, 
and ethnicity, they are more likely to accept and receive medical 
treatment. This will be a great asset to our nation's health care 
system.
  Next week, these scholars will be joining us in Washington, DC to 
examine some of the nation's most pressing health care problems and 
potential solutions as part of the United Health Foundation's Annual 
Diverse Scholars Forum. Since 2007, the United Health Foundation has 
helped more than 1,850 multicultural students from across the country 
realize their dream of pursuing careers in health while focusing on the 
needs of local communities through the Diverse Scholars Initiative. 
This year, these scholars also include a group of military spouses and 
dependents pursuing health care careers who have received scholarships, 
and I'd like to recognize their commitment to becoming part of the 
future health workforce and their support for those who have served.
  To these exceptional scholars, congratulations and best wishes for 
success in all of your future endeavors. I know that our nation's 
health care system will benefit from your hard work and talent.
  Jean Abac, Miranda Adcock, Sainfer Aliyu, Cadijah Allen, Jose Alonso, 
Toni Aluko, Evelyn Ambush, Felicia Andrew, Jesse Andrews, Brie Antonas, 
Kwame Awuku, Lluriana Bailon, Kane Banner, Sophia Barrios, Christina 
Batarse, Anya Bazzell, Shanell Becenti, Ashleigh Bennett, Carlene 
Black, Ashley Blackwell, Maya Bryant, Tina Bui, Andrea Burgess, Ebony 
Caldwell, Ana Cisneros, Danelle Cooper, Sandy Cullins, Radha Dahal, 
Marcqwon Day, Andres de Avila, Elizabeth De La Rosa, Chelsie Rae 
Domingo, Katie Duncan, Evelyn Escobedo Pol, Rebecca Espinoza, Mayra 
Estrada, Laurie Farreau, Clarissa Flores, Nyla Flowers, Thomas Franco, 
Jeremy Garriga, Misha Gilmore, Homero Guaderrama, Eddie Hackler III, 
Jackie Hairston, Jada Mone'e Harris, Oswaldo Hasbun Avalos, Katie 
Haynes, Shakura Howard, Austere Apolo, Wes Hungbui, Jalane Jara, Sophia 
Jimenez, Valencia Johnson, Karianne Jones, Ramanjot Kaur, Leslie 
Kedelty, Linda Kerandi, Ashley Kyalwazi, Angel Lara, Vin Lay, Anna Le, 
Saleena Lee, Edith Leiva, Amy Liang, Korai Liriano, Maria Madrigal, 
Erin Abigail Marden, Rasheena McCabe, Karen Mendez, Santiago Mercado, 
Monique Merritt, Alexa Mieses, Kimberly Mondestin, Lynette Morgan, 
Krista Morine, Binh Nguyen, Whitney Nwagbara, Justin Okons, Francesca 
Olguin, Chiemeka Onyima, Sylvia Pena, Bert Pineda, Joshua Platero, 
Cecilia Ramirez, Juan Ramirez, Isis Reyes, Julian Roby, Leah Ruiz, 
Valeria Salazar Ball, Brianne Samson, Ari St. Clair, May Lei Suen, 
Hiroshi Usui, Janet Van, Vaithish Velazhahan, Jennifer Villalobos, 
Shenae Whitehead, Veronica Williams, Taylor Williams-Hamilton, Davontae 
Willis, Ernestine Wilson, Bethany Womack, Chris Zermeno, and Jingna 
Zhao.

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