SCAN Health Plan Awards $50,000 in Scholarships to Long Beach State University Students Pursuing Careers in Aging Services

Scholarship Awarded to 10 Health and Human Services Students

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--By 2030, more than 70 million Americans will be over the age of 65 and will need services to support them on their aging journey. With a deeply rooted commitment to keeping seniors healthy and independent, SCAN Health Plan, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plans, announced the 2021 recipients of the SCAN Health Plan Scholarship for Senior Health and Independence.

The ten scholarship recipients are enrolled in the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) College of Health and Human Services in a variety of fields. Each student will receive $5,000 toward tuition and other expenses.

“As the aging population continues to grow, it is important that we have compassionate and highly skilled professionals trained to support older adults and their complex needs,” said Dr. Romilla Batra, SCAN’s chief medical officer. “We are excited to contribute to the education goals of these dedicated students who will enter the aging services field with the diverse experience, knowledge and empathy needed to help keep seniors healthy and independent.”

“We are thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with SCAN to support the education of passionate students who are on the path to serve older adults,” said Dr. Monica Lounsbery, dean of the CSULB College of Health and Human Services. “As a leader in senior healthcare, SCAN’s expertise, national recognition and reputation for supporting older adults is a great fit to support the next generation of aging services professionals.”

SCAN offers the scholarships through a partnership with CSULB’s College of Health and Human Services and its Center for Successful Aging. The scholarship program focuses on improving older adults’ quality of life by encouraging people studying outside of traditional aging services fields to work with the aging population. This year’s scholarship recipients are:

• Amber Valasquez, Nursing BS
• Diana Velasco Esqueda, Social Work MSW
• Jesse Jeffrey Ramirez, Social Work MSW
• Jocelyn Rubio, Gerontology MS
• Justin Luuga, Appl. Disability Studies, Gerontology MS
• Madeline Howard, Nursing Basic, Additional BS
• Maribel Robles, Gerontology, Social Work BA
• Natalie Torres, Gerontology MS
• Norma Miller, Gerontology, Social Work BA
• Ronn Elmo Orden, Exercise Science, Minor Gerontology BS

About SCAN Health Plan

SCAN Health Plan is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plans, serving more than 220,000 members in California. Since its founding in 1977, SCAN has been a mission-driven organization dedicated to keeping seniors healthy and independent. Independence at Home, a SCAN community service, provides vitally needed services and support to seniors and their caregivers. SCAN also offers education programs, community funding, volunteer opportunities and other community services throughout our California service area. To learn more, visit scanhealthplan.com or facebook.com/scanhealthplan or follow us on Twitter @scanhealthplan.