Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine student receives VITAS Healthcare Scholarship


Vitas

VITAS President David Wester, VITAS Scholarship Recipient Dr. Rachel Helm and Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Dean Dr. John A. Rock.

Rachel Helm, a recent graduate of the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine has been named the recipient of the 2016 VITAS Healthcare Scholarship and awarded $25,000.

The scholarship is designed to reduce the burden of medical education debt for a student at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine who successfully matched into a primary care residency program and demonstrated a deep appreciation for the needs of terminally ill patients and their families through a submitted essay.

Helm, who officially became a doctor on May 7, will continue her medical training in pediatrics at the Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY. Her long-term goal is to pursue a fellowship in pediatric palliative care.

“As I complete my education at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, I am very thankful for VITAS’ generous gift,” Helm said. “VITAS’ focus on providing comfort to patients and preserving dignity in the face of terminal illness exemplifies the qualities that I learned and would like to maintain throughout my career.”

“We are proud to support Rachel’s medical career goals with our scholarship,” said VITAS President David Wester. “We admire her passion for caring for young patients.”

Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs for VITAS Dr. Joel Policzer, who is also an assistant clinical professor at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, endorsed Helm as the VITAS Scholarship recipient.

“Rachel possesses the qualities we look for in physicians when caring for patients and families that face a terminal illness,” Policzer said.