To honor Dr. Isaac D. Burrell's legacy of medical care for African-Americans in the Roanoke Valley and in an effort to extend our outreach and commitment to and recruitment of minority candidates to high demand positions, the Human Resources Department at Carilion Clinic (Carilion) announces a $2000 sponsorship for the 2008-2009 academic year at Jefferson College of Health Sciences (JCHS). Applications are due by June 30, 2008. The Financial Aid Office will determine the award recipient, based on the following criteria:

Recipient must:

• be of African-American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander race/ethnicity;
• not be currently employed by Carilion (excluding JCHS-employed student status);
• be enrolled at JCHS in an undergraduate course of study leading to a career as a Registered Nurse or Respiratory Care Practitioner and have completed 24 credit hours;
• maintain satisfactory programmatic progress;
• remain programmatically eligible with at least 1/2 half time student status;
• demonstrate a career commitment to nursing or respiratory care, to Carilion and to western Virginia;
• provide two professional or educational references (a former or current supervisor, instructor or qualified career counselor);
• be a resident of Virginia, eligible to work in the USA and age 18 or more upon completion of the course of study;
• sign a service agreement to work for Carilion in the student's field of study upon a contingent job offer. The Service Agreement will be for one year of service from date of licensure. Part time employment of 20 or more hours/week will require two years of service from date of licensure;
• refund Carilion $2000 if the course of study is not completed; and
• not have a leave-of-absence exceeding one year from the active course of study.

For the 2008--2009 academic year, former recipients may be recommended by the JCHS Financial Aide office to receive one additional $2000 sponsorship.

Sponsorship funds are granted in order to cover tuition costs. No refunds will be given to the student in the case of excess academic funding. Sponsorship funds will be paid by Carilion directly to the JCHS Bursar's office. Sponsorship funds are taxable if the individual does not complete the service agreement with Carilion or if total educational assistance exceeds $5250 per year (or based on current tax law).