Mission Health gives out 15 scholarships in honor of Kesha Young

Mission Health awarded their annual Kesha Young Health Careers Scholarship, with the aim of making college more affordable for minority high school seniors and college students from Western North Carolina who are pursuing careers in healthcare. Fifteen students from around the Western North Carolina region were given scholarships at a ceremony held at Mission Hospital.

"Mission Health is proud to give the Kesha Young Scholarship as just one of the many ways we are supporting the education of our future caregivers," said Chad Patrick, CEO of Mission Hospital.

East Rutherford High graduate, Devoria Boykins, was one of the recipients; her mother, Atoniea Boykins, accepted her certificate at the ceremony.

The scholarship is in its 26th year and is named in honor of Kesha Young, a 22-year-old, bi-racial woman who was born with mental and physical disabilities and underwent multiple surgeries at Mission Hospital. Kesha died just months before she was scheduled to earn her high school diploma. Despite being in constant pain and confined to a wheelchair, Kesha was described by her adoptive parents as embodying the characteristics that are vital to how healthcare team members engage with patients, families and visitors, with a strong spirit, warm smile and positive encouragement.