Lauren Gelinas recognized with presentation of Sandy Christman Memorial Scholarship

University of New England physician assistant graduate student and Westbrook resident, Lauren Gelinas received the 8th annual Sandy Christman Memorial Scholarship award on November 9, 2012 presented by Thomas White, PA-C., interim program director. UNE has the only physician assistant program in the state of Maine.

The Sandy Christman Memorial Scholarship honors the life and ideals of Sandy Christman PA-C.  Christman was a cardiovascular surgery physician assistant who died on June 3, 1999 at the age of 38 after a 12-year battle with breast cancer. Christman possessed a unique combination of high energy, infectious enthusiasm, great clinical skills and an endless passion for life.  The way she fulfilled her clinical responsibilities and carried the burden of her disease became an inspiration to every one who knew her.

The $2,500 scholarship is given to a second year physician assistant student at UNE who has overcome a significant obstacle in life, has achieved academic and clinical excellence, and pursues his or her profession with the passion and enthusiasm of Sandy Christman.

After graduating from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland with degrees in biology with premed & psychology concentrations. Gelinas worked as a licensed nursing assistant at St. Teresa’s Nursing and Rehabilitation in Manchester, NH before returning to pursue a degree at UNE as a physician assistant.

 

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.