Mishoe “BELIEVE” Scholarship applications are due by May 5, 2024.

Overview

The RDML Helena O. Mishoe Diversity “BELIEVE” Scholarship was established to encourage and to support the career dreams of high school seniors from populations burdened by health disparities and that have been shown to be underrepresented in the health sciences and research, or health-related disciplines. These include populations such as racial and ethnic minority groups, rural populations, populations with low socioeconomic status, first generation college students, and individuals with disabilities. The scholarship will help students to realize their dream of obtaining a college education in the health sciences or a health-related field to promote health equity in the United States. In 2024, the scholarship opportunity was integrated into the foundation’s Family Member Scholarship program.

The program is named after Helena O. Mishoe, PhD, MPH, retired Rear Admiral of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. Her extraordinary public service and scientist career spanned over three decades at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and encompassed 27 years on active duty in the USPHS Commissioned Corps.

RDML Mishoe’s favorite quote is from one of her students who passed away from a disability-related illness. “Hope emerges and the future begins for one person only when there is another who believes in the beauty of their dreams.” The RDML Mishoe “BELIEVE” Scholarship inspires students to be scholars, serve their community, and achieve their dreams. The scholarship continues RDML Mishoe’s legacy as a believer in the dreams of those who have demonstrated tremendous resiliency in overcoming challenges, and who will become visionary change-makers, achieving great things to make our world a better place for all.

RDML Helena O. Mishoe, PhD, MPH

Scholarship Amount

Two $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually.

Application

The current application cycle runs from March 11, 2024 – May 5, 2024.

Eligibility

Any nominee who meets the following criteria:

  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident;

  • Senior in high school;

  • GPA equal to or greater than to 3.0 calculated on a scale of 1 to 4;

  • From populations burdened by health disparities and that have been shown to be underrepresented in the health sciences and research, or health-related disciplines. These include populations such as racial and ethnic minority groups, rural populations, populations with low socioeconomic status, first generation college students, and individuals with disabilities;

  • Applied/been accepted to college and plans to pursue a degree in the sciences or a health-related field;

  • Demonstrated outstanding public service and education (e.g., to their school or community); and

  • Is the child, stepchild, or grandchild of a member of the Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS.

Alison Narog

Christian Langley

Application Process

Applicants must complete a Family Member Scholarship application and upload an additional essay (see criteria below, and #16 on the application). The additional essay should address the following four items. Essays should be double spaced and not exceed two pages.

  • Describe how you overcame your challenge(s), how they have shaped you as a person, and how they have affected your dreams/aspirations for your career?

  • Describe your prior public service involvement with your school or community. How will you use your college education to serve and inspire others?

  • “Hope emerges and the future begins for one person only when there is another who believes in the beauty of their dreams.” What does this quote mean to you?

  • We are all interconnected as global citizens. How do you define human rights? Briefly discuss an example of human rights in practice and an example of a human rights violation.

Recipients are selected by a scholarship review committee. The application for 2024 RDML Mishoe Scholarship opened March 11, 2024 and will close on May 5, 2024.

Reviewers Needed

Each year, we look for active duty and retired USPHS officers to score applications. The time commitment consists of reading and scoring approximately 7-10 applications. COF will provide a certificate of appreciation for your personnel files.

Potential reviewers should notify their agencies and, if applicable, complete a request for outside activity form.

To avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest, reviewers should avoid scoring any application(s) for family members or individuals with whom you have a personal relationship.

If you are interested in being a scholarship reviewer, please reach out to Annette Beadle at [email protected].

Questions?