MC student receives national recognition and scholarship

By Karen Lanier

Midland College respiratory care student Brad Adams was honored April 9 at the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society national convention in Seattle, Washington, as one of 25 recipients of the Frank Lanza Memorial Scholarship.

The American Association of Community Colleges and PTK, with the support of Medical Education Technologies, Inc. (METI) and L-3 Communications, Inc., recognized the accomplishments of the students who are enrolled in allied health programs offered by regionally accredited community colleges. Each student was awarded $1,000.

"I learned about the scholarship last fall through the MC respiratory care program. Bob Weidmann, program director, helped me with the application process," Adams said. "I found out I had been selected about two weeks before the convention. With financial help from Midland College through Dr. Richard Jolly, executive vice-president, I was able to attend the convention. It was awesome!"

Adams, 36, said he sees the respiratory program as a stepping stone to get to the next level. He graduated from the respiratory care program in May and has applied to the two-year Texas Tech physician's assistant (PA) program that is offered on the MC campus. Adams said that being a PA is his ultimate goal.

So, what did Adams do before he started his medical education at the age of 34? "I was a licensed welder for many years. It was a good living but I have always been interested in the medical field," he said. Adams also explained that he is in a relationship that includes not only his girlfriend but also her two children. "We are active in CrossRoads Fellowship in Odessa. I also volunteer with Teen Challenge," continued Adams.

While at the PTK convention, recipients had the opportunity to meet METI Chairman Lou Obemdorf. Obemdorf was influential in establishing this scholarship in honor of his friend, Frank Lanza. A panel of independent judges selected the recipients by application based on academic and leadership accomplishments as well as community service.

"Funding provided for these scholarships is critical to helping community college students meet the high cost of completing these rigorous health-related programs," said PTK's Executive Director, Dr. Rod A. Risley, on the PTK website. The honor society, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,270 chapters throughout the world. More than 2.5 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 125,000 students inducted annually.

Most of the 2011 award recipients are enrolled in registered nursing programs and allied health fields. Community colleges educate 63 percent of allied health professionals. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010 figures, employment outlook in the health care services and in nursing and residential care facilities.

Brad Adams and Whitney Johnson of Angelina College were the only two Texans on the list. For a complete list of the Lanza scholarship winners, go to www.ptk.org.