KAPA‘A — Three aspiring physicians — two pediatricians and an oncologist — got help from the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital Auxiliary last Thursday. Each of the students, one each from Kaua‘i, Kapa‘a and Waimea high schools, plans on pursuing a
KAPA‘A — Three aspiring physicians — two pediatricians and an oncologist — got help from the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital Auxiliary last Thursday.
Each of the students, one each from Kaua‘i, Kapa‘a and Waimea high schools, plans on pursuing a physician’s degree in their post-high-school studies, and each was presented with a $500 scholarship.
Haley Adamic, graduating from Kaua‘i High School, is the daughter of Larry Adamic and Roberta Fillbert, and plans to become a pediatrician, shadowing Dr. Virginia Hatch-Pigott of the Kaua‘i Medical Clinic to better understand a physician’s role in the community.
Her plans call for starting her path at Kaua‘i Community College before transferring to the University of California San Diego and the UCSD Medical School.
During her career at Kaua‘i High School, Adamic has been a member of the Kaua‘i High School swim team, a member of Kaua‘i Performing Arts Center and a volunteer at the Kaua‘i Humane Society.
Abigail Iloreta of Kapa‘a High School also plans on studying pediatrics, starting with a major in pre-med at the University of California Los Angeles before returning to the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine.
The daughter of Abe and Amelia Iloreta, Abigail Iloreta is the senior class president, a varsity cheerleader and treasurer of the National Honor Society and the Interact Club of Kapa‘a High School.
Natasha Abadilla, coming off a successful senior project dealing with cancer, targets Stanford University for her study leading to becoming an oncologist.
The daughter of Dan Abadilla and Susana Valencia-Abadilla, Natasha Abadilla is student-body president at Waimea High School, a Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation track star in long-distance running, a member of the Menehune cross country and soccer teams, a member of the Waimea High School Jr. ROTC, and a two-time Kaua‘i District Spelling Bee champion.
She has also served as mayor for the day and is the reigning Miss Kaua‘i Veteran.
Criteria for the scholarship recipients include an interest in earning a degree in health care, academic excellence and a record of volunteer work.
Funds for the scholarship are derived from the Mahelona Hospital Thrift Shop which is operated by the hospital’s auxiliary and open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
