Javeen Thomas, ACHE Dent ScholarUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham School of Health Professions student Javeen Thomas has been named a winner of the Albert W. Dent Graduate Student Scholarship by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).Thomas, a student in the Master of Science in Health Administration program, is one of only six students across the United States to win the $5,000 award that is delivered annually to minority students.
“The process of taking out enough loans to cover room, books, and any other major expenses has been my approach throughout my academic career and this scholarship will allow me to start out my final year of course work in the MSHA program by not taking the large amount that was necessary for me to,” said Thomas.
Thomas, who emigrated from Jamaica with her mom and sister, says many communities in both countries do not have access to efficient and comprehensive care. She has a strong passion to make sure that all she experiences and learns will assist her career, but more importantly, contribute to the health of every community she serves.
“Ideally, as a short term goal – less than 10 years – I would like to establish a long-term care facility in Jamaica in order to care for the elderly since they are normally the forgotten population,” said Thomas.
ACHE is an international professional society of 40,000 healthcare executives. The network includes 79 chapters around the world with members who lead hospitals, healthcare systems and other healthcare organizations. It has been providing aspiring health executives with funds to further their skills and fulfill their goals for decades.
“As with many of the Albert W. Dent Scholarship recipients, I share the same sentiments to continue to be a minority that will take the healthcare field by storm,” said Thomas. “My mother brought me to the U.S 16 years ago for this very reason – for a better future that will continuously impact not only me but others around me.”
The MSHA program, located in the Department of Health Services Administration, is the highest ranked program at UAB with a #2 ranking from U.S. News & World Report.
