Humble student wins United Health Foundation scholarship

Megan Gingoyon

Humble student Megan Gingoyon has won a scholarship from the United Health Foundation for her intentions to work in health care.

The United Health Foundation's Diverse Scholars Initiative awards scholarship money to minorities looking to pursue a career in the field of health care. It will award more than $1.2 million dollars to more than 200 students this year.

Gingoyan, a junior at the University of Texas at Austin, is a Spanish major looking to work with Spanish-speaking families needing assistance in hospitals. As part of the scholarship, Gingoyan would be bringing much-needed diversity to the healthcare workforce, according to the UHF.

"We know patients do best when they are treated by people who understand their language and culture," said United Health Foundation president Kate Rubin in a press release. "United Health Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to help support these outstanding students who are demonstrating impressive purpose and passion and who help lead the way to better health access and outcomes."

United Health Foundation research shows that minorities intending to work in healthcare are better motivated by the community aspect of their service than by financial incentives. Of the 500 polled students, 46 percent cited the positive impact on people's lives as their biggest incentive, with 17 percent citing money. Almost 90 percent of respondents said they wish to work in a community with a similar ethnic background as their own.

Scholarship awards can total up to $5,000 for each student. Recipients met with national health care leaders and legislators at a Diverse Scholars Forum from June 26 to June 28, discussing the state of American health care.

For more information on the Diverse Scholars Initiative, go to unitedhealthfoundation.org/dsi.html.