Foster Memorial Scholarship

2006 Recipients

Kaaren Nelson-Munson is a graduate of West Albany High School in Albany, OR. Kaaren Nelson-Munson is a third year medical student at Oregon Health & Sciences University pursuing an MD-MPH degree.  With the goal of advocating for universal health care with a multi-cultural focus, Kaaren has lived and worked on four continents and been involved in the delivery of health on the community level.  “I want the challenge of a medical education, which asks me to never stop learning. I like the tangible results of curing a child’s dehydration, alongside the long-term goal of preventing the factors leading to such dehydration.” Looking at the big picture of health and healthcare, Kaaren hopes to successfully integrate medicine and public health.

Jacquelyn Martin is a graduate of Henley High School in Klamath Falls, OR.  Jacqui is second year nursing student at Oregon Health & Sciences University. With a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre, Jacqui “strangely stumbled upon an ad to be a teaching assistant at an alternative school” and accepted the position. In her role, working with students with disciplinary problems, Jacqui became acutely aware that many of her students lacked sexual health education and were telling one another “dangerous untruths about pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.” With the permission of the school principal, teachers and parents, Jacqui developed sex education curriculum for the school. The experience pushed her in a new direction - working with adolescents to help them to understand sexuality. Upon completion of her BSN in June 2007, Jacqui will enter the field of public health nursing in the area of sexual health.

Jennifer Holliday is a graduate of Grant Union High School in John Day, OR. Jennifer is a fourth year medical student at Oregon Health & Sciences University pursuing an MD-MPH degree. Having grown up in a small, rural town in Eastern Oregon, Jennifer received her undergraduate education at Stanford University. The experience, affording her both culture shock and an excellent education, also affirmed her rural background and dedication to combine her passion for medicine with rural issues. Committed to improving the well-being of rural Oregonians, she will provide health care to an underserved rural population and be an advocate, educator and researcher. Jennifer hopes to be a voice for improving the health of the patient population she knows, loves and serves.