2005 Ambassador Scholars Back row:(L-R) Donna Garcia, School of Nursing; Earlanda Williams, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., president of the Health Science Center; Ernesto Treviño, Dental School. Front row (L-R): Lauren Kay Smith, School of Medicine; Melissa Bachman, School of Allied Health Sciences.
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“I want to congratulate each one of you,” said Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., president of the Health Science Center, to five outstanding individuals who each represent one of the five schools at the Health Science Center. “This recognition is a well-deserved honor. You have been selected because you are exemplary student-leaders, and we are confident that you will be outstanding representatives of your schools and of the Health Science Center.”

These individuals were selected to receive the prestigious Ambassador Scholar Award and were recognized at a ceremony held April 26. It is an award that has been given to exceptional individuals based on academic merit and leadership for 17 years and is generously supported by the Health Science Center’s President’s Council.

The 2005 Ambassador Scholars are: Melissa Bachman, School of Allied Health Sciences; Ernesto Treviño, Dental School; Earlanda Williams, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Lauren Kay Smith, School of Medicine; and Donna Garcia, School of Nursing.

President Cigarroa presents a scholarship award to Melissa Bachman. She was selected from the School of Allied Health Sciences.

Melissa Bachman served in the U.S. Air Force, where she earned her associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in personnel management and business management. She entered the physician’s assistant program with a 3.9 grade point average, and she maintains academic excellence in the program. In addition to scholastic achievements, Melissa has volunteered her time and energy to many important causes, such as University Hospital’s Transplant Intensive Care Unit, the Grace Place Alzheimer’s Activity Center, Boy Scouts of America and the American Red Cross.

Ernesto Treviño was born and raised in the Valley, where he participated in the Health Science Center’s renowned Med-Ed Program, which prepares high school students for careers in the health professions. An excellent student, Ernesto attended The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), where he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology. At UTSA, he was in the Honors program, and he consistently made the Dean’s List. Because of his outstanding academic achievements, Ernesto was admitted to the Dental School through the Dental Early Admissions Program. He was recently selected as the student representative to the local chapter of the Hispanic Dental Association.

Earlanda Williams graduated from Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry. She is a second-year doctoral student in the cellular and structural biology department and maintains a 4.0 grade point average. She is also gifted in the laboratory setting. As a result of her hard work, she is already writing her first manuscript. Throughout her academic career, she has received a number of awards and honors, including the department’s prestigious David Carrillo Memorial Award and a Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Fellowship.

Lauren Kay Smith graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in archeological studies. While at U.T., she excelled not only in her archeology courses but also in a number of biology and chemistry courses, which she took to prepare for medical school. She is now a second-year medical student, and her top-quality academic performance has continued. She has also put her leadership skills to use at the Health Science Center. For the past two years, she has been an enthusiastic “recruiter” for the Medical School.

Donna Garcia is a graduate nursing student in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program and has maintained a 4.0 grade point average. In addition to being committed to academic excellence, Donna is also committed to serving the community. She has participated in and led a number of community service projects, including mentoring children and making neighborhoods safer. She developed a West Side neighborhood welfare organization and has received funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Congratulations to all of the scholars.