Inspiring Young Professionals: Delta Family Medicine Names Scholarship Winner

DELTA, UT – June 20, 2017 – When we’re young, we often dream of what we want to accomplish in our lives. For recent Delta High School graduate Beau Nielsen, these dreams are becoming a reality.

Delta Family Medicine recently awarded Nielsen a $1000.00 scholarship to go toward college costs and help him on his path to medical school.

“When I found out, I was really excited because this was the scholarship that I put the most time and effort into,” said Nielsen. “My mom was a nurse, so I grew up around medicine–it’s always intrigued me.”

Delta Family Medicine physicians Alan Smith, MD and Steven Shamo, MD selected Beau from a pool of qualified applicants based on his academic success and commitment to medical school.

Nielsen plans to attend Dixie State University, before continuing on to become either a family practitioner, anesthesiologist or a physical therapist.

“Each year, we select candidates based on personal knowledge, commitment, qualifications and the candidate’s characteristics,” said Smith. “Of course grades and ACT results help, but they’re not the sole determining factor.”

This scholarship program initially began around 1995 and has offered nearly 60 awards to high school seniors planning to pursue a career in the medical field. Delta Family Medicine physicians present each student with their award at the annual Delta High School awards assembly as one a way to reinvest in the youth of the community.

“We know these students are qualified and capable of completing their medical school education,” said Shamo.

“Our goal is that some of these students may come back and practice, maybe not in Delta, but in other rural settings, ” added Smith.

Like other students before him, this scholarship has connected Nielsen with his community and heightened his ambition to pursue his dreams. Nielsen plans to use the scholarship to cover book costs for advanced college courses.

Smith offered some final advice to Nielsen, ”Work hard and stick with it. Lots of people start with plans to enter medical school but don’t finish. They are capable but just don’t continue on.

Shamo agreed, “Learn to love people. The essence of medicine goes beyond the treatment of people, it extends to learning to love the patient as family member.”