Alexis G. Philius Scholarship

2021 Winners Announced

We are proud to announce the recipients of the new 2021 UNAC/UHCP Alexis G. Philius Scholarship. Lack of diversity has significant consequences on health outcomes and health equity for patients and communities of color. We are proud to announce the first class of student winners, selected from outstanding applications from across the country. Among the winners are students pursuing nursing, medicine, and public health administration, and taking on issues of health care disparity, mentoring at-risk youth, and expanding global health initiatives.

The students—who had excellent academic records—also demonstrated strong commitments to service beyond the bedside. Their stories are compelling, and we are excited to see them reach high achievements and leave their own legacies.

Five $2,000 scholarships have been awarded to:

Alexis Higgins-Williams of South San Francisco—pursuing her Master of Science (MS) in Global Medicine at the University of Southern California

Jasmine Smith of Chino, CA—attending Azusa Pacific University to become a Family Nurse Practitioner and focus on women’s health disparities

Jessica Times of Los Angeles—pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at Emory University in Atlanta, to work in public health

Christopher Washington of Tinley Park, IL—pursuing his Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University in Philadelphia

Rathail Woods of Ukiah, CA—attending Pepperdine University to attain his Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and work with high-risk, transition-aged youth.

 

The UNAC/UHCP Alexis G. Philius Scholarship is a new UNAC/UHCP scholarship program introduced to provide resources and support to students of Black/African descent pursuing education toward a career in health care. Scholarships for $2,000 will be awarded to five students.

Lack of diversity has significant consequences on health outcomes, health equity for patients and communities of color. UNAC/UHCP has decided to address underrepresentation in health professions with this new scholarship.

Alexis Goudeau Philius, RN, noticed homeless people on Los Angeles streets on her commute to and from work and was inspired to make a difference. She founded Highly Favored: A Blessing to Others, a nonprofit organization that distributes food, toiletries, supplies, and warm clothing to homeless people in Los Angeles County. The organization is best known for the annual Backpack Friday drive held the day after Thanksgiving.

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION: unacuhcp.org/apply

General Information

  • The Alexis G. Philius scholarship is for students of Black/African descent who are pursuing a license, certificate, or health care degree at an accredited college, university, trade or technical school at any time between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021.
  • Scholarships for $2,000 will be awarded to five students.
  • The online application period will be between February 1, 2021 and 3:00 p.m. PT on April 30, 2021.
  • Applicants may only be awarded one UNAC/UHCP scholarship.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to apply.
  • Finalists may be required to participate in a virtual interview, submit a bio, submit a picture, and provide names of references.
  • Applicants may apply only through the online application system. Paper applications will not be accepted.

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

Question: Are high school seniors eligible for the Alexis G. Philius scholarship?

Answer: If you will be enrolled in a licensing, certification, or degree program in a health care field at an accredited college, university, trade or technical school any time between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021, you are eligible to apply.

 

Question: I am taking classes at different schools. Do I qualify?

Answer: Yes, however, if you are awarded a scholarship, funds will be distributed to one school only. The scholarship funds cannot be allocated to more than one school.

 

Question: How can I access my funds?

Answer: Funds will be distributed directly to the school by December 1, 2021. Scholarship winners must provide proof of enrollment from the office of registrar to UNAC/UHCP.

 

Question: My major is currently undeclared. Can I apply for the Alexis G. Philius scholarship?

Answer: The application includes a question where applicant must list the license, certificate, or degree being sought. If a student is undeclared but plans to major in a specific science field and then pursue a health care license, certificate, or degree, that information should be included in the license, certificate, or degree sought field.

 

Question: I won a UNAC/UHCP scholarship two years ago. Can I still apply for the Alexis G. Philius scholarship?

Answer: No. If you were awarded a UNAC/UHCP scholarship in the past, you are not eligible.

 

Question: When will I be notified?

Answer: All applicants will be notified of their status in July via email.

 

Question: I am a high school student and will be enrolled in a licensing, certification, or degree program this fall. Do I submit my high school transcripts?

Answer: Yes. You may use your high school transcript. Your transcript can be official or unofficial, but it must show final grades and a GPA calculation.

 

Question: Are international students eligible to apply?

Answer: The school or program must be in the United States. Any student enrolled in a license, certificate, or health care degree at an accredited college, university, trade or technical school in the United States at any time between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 is eligible to apply. If selected as a winner, the payment will be made to the school.

 

Question: Do I have to be a UNAC/UHCP member to apply?

Answer: No, you do not have to be a UNAC/UHCP member to apply for the Alexis G. Philius scholarship.

 

Question: I only see an information page when I go to unacuhcp.org/apply. Where can I find the application?

Answer: Scroll to the bottom of the page and you’ll see a Next button at the bottom right. Click on the button and it will take you to the first page of the application.

 

If you have any questions or need more information, please email scholarship@unacuhcp.org. Please note that it may take 1-2 business days to respond to your questions. All messages must be received by April 28 to receive a response during the application period.