{"id":230694,"date":"2025-05-15T15:25:43","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T19:25:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=230694"},"modified":"2025-05-16T09:55:54","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T13:55:54","slug":"doctors-academy-graduates-win-college-scholarships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2025\/05\/doctors-academy-graduates-win-college-scholarships\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Doctors Academy\u2019 Graduates Win College Scholarships"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nineteen Senior Doctor Academy graduates in the Class of 2025 on May 14 received their honorary white coats and diplomas from the Health Career Opportunity Programs (HCOP) at UConn Health.<\/p>\n

\"The
The event’s keynote speaker was City of Hartford\u2019s Ebony Jackson-Shaheed, MPH, director of Health & Human Services (Photo by John Atashian).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At this year\u2019s Academic Year Closing and Annual Recognition Ceremony the keynote speaker was City of Hartford\u2019s Ebony Jackson-Shaheed, MPH, director of Health & Human Services.<\/p>\n

Also, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving generously presented a grant of $15,000 in support of the HCOP programs.<\/p>\n

The Doctors Academy is part of the highly successful\u00a0Health Career Opportunity Programs<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>(HCOP) founded over two decades ago by physician-scientist Dr. Marja Hurley,<\/strong> where middle school and high school students of all backgrounds receive in-depth education in the health sciences and career path mentorship on Saturdays and in the summer. The Doctors Academy is one of 14 Health Career Opportunity Programs that are part of the Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative (HPPI).<\/p>\n

\"Senior
Senior Doctors Academy graduates accepted their diplomas from keynote speaker the City of Hartford’s Ebony Jackson-Shaheed, MPH and Dr. Marja Hurley (Photo by John Atashian).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Meet the Doctors Academy Graduates<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI am looking forward to pursuing a career in genetics and surgery,\u201d says Class of 2025 Doctors Academy graduate Javel Stewart<\/strong>, 18, of Hartford who has been part of HCOP since the 8th<\/sup> grade.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe idea of being able to help people fight illness and disease inspired me to enter medicine. I became interested in HCOP\u2019s great explorations program after a school guidance counselor recommended it to me as she knew I was interested in medicine,\u201d recalls Stewart.<\/p>\n

\"Javel
Javel Stewart is headed to UConn this fall. She graduated from the Senior Doctors Academy of HCOP on May 14.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“My favorite part of HCOP was being able to meet and connect with like-minded peers.\u201d<\/p>\n

After graduating from Classical Magnet School this spring, Stewart looks forward to attending UConn.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am very excited to go to UConn this fall, and I\u2019m looking forward to all the new knowledge I will gain,\u201d Stewart exclaims.<\/p>\n

\"(Photo
(Photo by John Atashian).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Stewart is the winner of a large Hartford Promise Scholarship, also the newly established UConn Freedman Award established by UConn Health Board of Director Joel Freedman, and the Friends of the Department of Health Career Opportunity Programs \u2013 Boake L. Plessy, Ph.D., Scholarship.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am very excited to have received scholarships to UConn in addition to the Hartford Promise Scholarship,\u201d she happily shares.<\/p>\n

\"(Photo
(Photo by John Atashian).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And Stewart\u2019s words of wisdom for other young people wishing to follow in her footsteps to also pursue future careers in medicine: \u201cSome advice to the CT youth is to never give up. You might not see the results right away, but trust the process. Keep asking questions, keep showing up for yourself, and don\u2019t be afraid to aim high.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the most meaningful communities I\u2019m a part of is the Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP),\u201d heartwarmingly shared Class of 2025 Doctors Academy graduate Jeneika Lugg<\/strong>, 18, of Hartford who is originally from Jamaica.<\/p>\n

Now a senior at Achievement First Hartford Academy, she joined the Doctors Academy back in the 9th<\/sup> grade. \u201cThis community is especially meaningful to me because it feels like a family. It is a welcoming environment where no one feels excluded, and everyone is respected for who they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Dr.
Dr. Marja Hurley with 2025 Senior Doctors Academy graduate and UConn Hartford bound Jeneika Lugg. She received many college scholarships including a large Hartford Promise Scholarship.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lugg will be attending UConn Hartford in the fall. She is enrolled in the special Verto Huskies Pathway, a program that provides high achieving students the opportunity to study abroad with Verto Education, and then seamlessly transfer to UConn for the remainder of their college experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis fall I\u2019m very excited to go to UConn and I\u2019m happy to\u00a0be given the opportunity\u00a0to go study abroad for my first semester in Spain through Verto Education. This is very exciting for me since I\u2019m being introduced to a new culture, language, food, and people,\u201d says Lugg.<\/p>\n

\"HCOP
HCOP program graduates of the Senior Doctors Academy (Photo by John Atashian).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At UConn, Lugg hopes to study biological sciences or areas of neuroscience, and also explore her longtime interest in art.<\/p>\n

Lugg is also an excited recipient of the large Hartford Promise Scholarship, as well as a Jacob L. and Lewis Fox Scholarship.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was awarded the Hartford Promise Scholarship and Fox Scholarship. I was excited for this because it allowed a better affordability for school,\u201d says very thankful Lugg.<\/p>\n

Lugg also applauds the HCOP program for her great educational experience.<\/p>\n

\"Senior
Senior Doctors Academy graduates (Photo by John Atashian).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWhen I first heard about HCOP, I was eager to join, especially with my interest in the medical field. The program has not only expanded my academic knowledge but also provided a deeper understanding of medicine in the real world. It has equipped me with valuable skills in public speaking, research, and medical practices, while offering opportunities to learn from doctors and their personal journeys,\u201d says Lugg.<\/p>\n

She added, \u201cWhat I love most about this program is how it consistently encourages us to pursue our dreams. The staff fosters an open-minded approach, urging us to reach for the stars and beyond. They are like a supportive family, cheering for our growth and success, always wanting the best for us. The students, too, contribute to this sense of community, as we all share similar goals and support one another, making it feel more like a team than a competition.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lugg\u2019s advice to other Connecticut youth like her: \u201cKeep striving, keep pushing and know that no dream is too big to not reach. It might seem a lot or impossible but in the end you will be amazed by the great results and accomplishments.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Class
Class of 2025 Graduates of the Senior Doctors Academy celebrating at HCOP’s annual Closing Ceremony (Photo by John Atashian).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Like Stewart and Lugg all the successful Senior Doctors Academy graduates in the Class of 2025 are following in the footsteps of hundreds and hundreds of successful HCOP graduates.<\/p>\n

Dr. Marja Hurley and her very dedicated HCOP team are very proud of all the graduating students and share a special thank you to the parents who get the students up on Saturdays to get to the program.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am so proud of this year\u2019s graduating class, and thankful for all the support of their parents. We also are especially grateful of the Hartford Foundation, the City of Hartford, and for all the generous scholarships bestowed on our amazing students this year,\u201d says Hurley. \u201cCongratulations to all our talented students.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Dr.
Dr. Marja Hurley sharing her congratulations with the students and parents attending HCOP’s annual Closing Ceremony on May 14, 2025 (Photo by John Atashian).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

UConn School of Medicine Dean Dr. Bruce T. Liang shared during the event, \u201cA special thanks to the amazing leadership of Dr. Marja Hurley, along with her talented HCOP team, for making the Doctors Academy and all the successful HCOP Programs of the Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative possible. Your hard work is keeping these programs thriving to new heights and always inspiring the next generation of youth and future doctors.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"(Photo
(Photo by John Atashian).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Liang added, \u201cI wanted to share a heartwarming congratulations with all our graduates, and with your supportive families. We are all so proud of your inspiring academic success, and tireless commitment and determination that you have demonstrated. Whether you are dreaming of becoming a future physician, dentist, or scientist — you are well on your way! And UConn is so grateful to be part of your journey! Make sure to come back and join our health care workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 graduates of the Great Explorations, Jumpstart, and Junior and Senior Doctors Academy!<\/p>\n

\"(Photo
(Photo by John Atashian).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other scholarship recipients this year of the John & Valerie Rowe Scholarship<\/em> are Senior Doctors Academy graduates Valeria Buzzigoli and Anousha Hashim.<\/p>\n

Also, Friends of the Department of Health Career Opportunity Programs \u2013 Boake L. Plessy, Ph.D., Scholarship<\/em> recipients include Maham Chaudhary, Alec-Raive Gordon,\u00a0and Javel Stewart.<\/p>\n

\"The
The Class of 2025 Senior Doctors Academy graduated 19 Connecticut high school students at its Closing Ceremony on the evening of May 14, 2025. Graduates are pictured here with keynote speaker Ebony Jackson-Shaheed, MPH and Dr. Marja Hurley (Photo by John Atashian).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Class of 2025 Senior Doctors Academy graduates include:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunita Amiri<\/em><\/p>\n

Safia Ali<\/em><\/p>\n

Gabrielle Bridgewater<\/em><\/p>\n

Valeria Buzzigoli<\/em><\/p>\n

Maham Chaudhary<\/em><\/p>\n

Sabra Dewar<\/em><\/p>\n

Alec Gordon<\/em><\/p>\n

Anousha Hashim<\/em><\/p>\n

Meera Kannan<\/em><\/p>\n

Jeneika Lugg<\/em><\/p>\n

Elissa Matthews<\/em><\/p>\n

Tyler McGraw<\/em><\/p>\n

Marko Paxi<\/em><\/p>\n

Xavier Rosario<\/em><\/p>\n

Genesis Rowe<\/em><\/p>\n

Genessis Sanclemente<\/em><\/p>\n

Javel Stewart<\/em><\/p>\n

Sama Thapa<\/em><\/p>\n

Kaelyn Williams<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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