Carol Kane Leonhard, scholarship committee member; Cami Webber, scholarship recipient; Dr. Patrick Taylor, York Hospital President & CEO; Ava Smith, scholarship recipient; and Kate Ford, Director of Volunteer & Student Experiences.
Sylvester and Ruth Carroll believed in rewarding students who demonstrate strength of character, a strong will, and a sense of commitment. Each year York Hospital awards The Carroll Family & Michael C. Rossiter Scholarship to student volunteers who exhibit these traits in their daily interactions. The York Hospital Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the Class of 2023 scholarship recipients: Ava Smith of Marshwood High School and Camden “Cami” Webber of Kennebunk High School.
Ava Smith, a 2023 graduate of Marshwood High School and resident of South Berwick, is enrolled in the nursing program at St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine. Ava was a much-appreciated volunteer at Pediatric Associates of York Hospital throughout her senior year. Praised by the providers for her professional and uplifting attitude, the practice staff, young patients, and parents all benefited from her attention to detail and willingness to help wherever needed. In addition to volunteering at York Hospital, Ava worked part-time at Beach Pea Bakery and the Ogunquit Lobster Pound, while also participating on Marshwood’s volleyball and track and field teams.
Ava’s perseverance during the pandemic shone through as she doubled up on chemistry and biology courses, while also participating in Sanford Regional Technical Center’s Health Occupations program, where she earned her Certified Nursing Assistant license (CNA). Additionally, Ava enrolled and excelled in College Composition, Medical Terminology, and Overview of Anatomy & Physiology courses at York County Community College. Her advisor and chemistry teacher has no doubt of Ava’s ability to attain her end goal, of becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner, noting motivation, maturity, and conscientiousness beyond her age as essential contributors to her future success.
Camden “Cami” Webber, a Kennebunk resident and 2023 graduate of Kennebunk High School, is now a freshman in the pre-medical program at Thomas Jefferson University. Before heading south to Philadelphia, Penn., Cami was a student volunteer in York Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED).
Academically, Cami challenged herself with rigorous coursework including honors, advanced placement, college courses, and an international baccalaureate program, receiving high honors throughout her four years. She was also a member of the Student Council and the Yearbook Club. Cami’s activities outside of school influenced her decision to explore a future in health care. She volunteered with Partners for World Health organizing the shipments of medical supplies to countries in need, and lent her time to Child Care services, Lucky Pup Rescue, and the Animal Welfare Society. Cami’s family created their own “Kindness Day” each February break, to collectively support their community through food, clothing, and flower drives.
York Hospital’s ED team was fortunate to receive some of Cami’s energy as well. As a volunteer, Cami visited patients and family members offering comfort and communicating concerns to ED staff. She also performed more hands-on ED tasks, from offering warm blankets and refreshments, escorts to other service areas, changing over rooms, delivering lab bloodwork, to snapping and folding johnnies. The ED’s nursing director was delighted with Cami’s combination of high energy and genuine eagerness to learn and help, along with her calm and focused demeanor, regardless of the situation. She believes that Cami’s pursuit of a career as a physician assistant is well-chosen and will lead to a life of happiness and success.
York Hospital’s patients and staff are fortunate to have benefited from Ava Smith and Cami Webber’s hard work and compassion, attributes that will continue to serve them as they pursue their academic and professional goals.
About the Carroll Family & Michael C. Rossiter Scholarship
This $3,000 scholarship is awarded annually to high school seniors planning to enter an institution of higher learning and currently residing in one of York Hospital’s service areas: Kittery, Eliot, The Berwicks, Kennebunk, Lebanon, Sanford, Wells, Moody, Ogunquit, and York. All applicants must be active York Hospital volunteers and have provided a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer service. Recipients must explain how volunteering at York Hospital has made a difference in their lives and what they have learned through the experience.
For more information about volunteering at York Hospital and the Carroll Family & Michael C. Rossiter Scholarship, contact Director of Volunteer & Student Experiences, Kate Ford at [email protected] or (207) 351-2224, or visit https://www.yorkhospital.com/volunteers-and-students/.