Future Healthcare Workers Receive Scholarships

The United Health Foundation, the philanthropic foundation of Optum Ireland’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) has announced  the 2022 Ireland Healthcare Scholars.

The Ireland Healthcare Scholarship Program is focused on students from less-advantaged backgrounds who wish to pursue a degree in primary or specialised care, or emerging health care technologies.

The program supports dedicated scholarships to ATU Donegal, Ulster University, Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Galway and the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences (Dublin).

“This program is helping to create additional and much needed healthcare professionals in Ireland” said Padraig Monaghan, Managing Director of Optum Ireland and UK.

Ireland Healthcare Scholars, Ulster University at Magee, from left: Eddie Friel, Director of Development and Alumni, UU; Gráinne McGlynn, Ireland Healthcare Scholar, Physiotherapy, UU; Heather Broadley, Ireland Healthcare Scholar, School of Medicine, UU; Dearbhlá Butterly, Ireland Healthcare Scholar, School of Medicine, UU; and Professor Louise Dubras, Dean of School of Medicine, UU.

“We have seen over recent years how these young people from diverse backgrounds have thrived with the support of the scholarship and I am delighted to announce this year’s recipients.”

The 2022 Scholars are:

ATU Donegal: Mia Baikie, Nursing (Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, Arranmore) and Catherine Whiteside, Applied Computing (Abbey Vocational School, Donegal)

Ulster University, Magee Campus: Gráinne McGlynn, Physiotherapy (Rosses Community School, Dungloe)

Queen’s University: Connor Allison, Biochemistry with Professional Studies (Loreto, Milford)

University of Galway: Caitlín McCahill, Occupational Therapy (St. Columba’s Comprehensive, Glenties)

Royal College of Surgeons: Evin Donnelly, Medicine (Newpark Comprehensive, Ballybrack)

School of Medicine, Ulster University, Magee Campus: Heather Broadley (County Donegal); Dearbhlá Butterly (County Louth).

With the addition of the new scholars, the scholarship program is currently supporting 24 scholars across five universities on the island of Ireland. This year’s Ireland Healthcare Scholars will benefit from annual financial assistance, will be paired with a mentor and will participate in community volunteering activities.

“The Ireland Healthcare Scholarships make a real and palpable difference to young people who would not otherwise be able to have this additional education. The cost of third level education places a significant financial burden on families and pressure on the young people themselves.

The scholarship can be life-changing for our students,” said Margaret O’Connor, Principal of Loreto Milford in County Donegal.

Caolinn Diver from Carndonagh in County Donegal was one of the first recipients of a health care scholarship and recently graduated with a Master’s in Pharmacy with first class honours from Ulster University.

Caolinn said: "My ambition was always to become a pharmacist, but I wouldn’t have been able to take my place on the degree course in Coleraine without this scholarship.

"The support I received over the four years went beyond the financial and helped me navigate my way through the course and secure a position as a community pharmacist in the North West.”

Through collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach efforts, the United Health Foundation works to improve the health system, build a diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local communities.

The undergraduate scholarships are at a value of €25,000 (University of Galway, UU, Queens,
RCSI) and at a value of €10,000 (ATU).

The graduate entry medicine scholarship (UU) is at a value of €20,000.