Houston, TX based SignatureCare Emergency Center has awarded its 2019 Spring Scholarship to Aaron Boykin, a final year nursing student at Resurrection University in Chicago, Illinois.

While congratulating the winner, Dr. Aaron Braun, DO, one of SignatureCare Emergency Center’s founding partners, said Boykin, one of several applicants for the student scholarship, was chosen for his deep passion for nursing and unflinching commitment to the well-being of others.

“The scholarship is designed to go to a deserving student who displays a passion for their field and Boykin meets that criteria. He is deeply committed to his chosen profession,” Braun said, adding that she hopes “the $1,000 award helps him accomplish his goal of becoming a nurse.”

SignatureCare Emergency Center’s Director of Operations, Rhonda Abbe, RN, BCEN, called Boykin “an inspiration” while congratulating him for the award.

“This young man is an inspiration. In his journey of life, willing to keep his focus on his life goal of becoming a nurse. Doing all of this with a positive attitude while working, going to school and a father of 5. Congratulations Aaron,” she said.

See also: SignatureCare Emergency Center Named One of Houston’s Top Workplaces in 2018.

In his 2019 spring scholarship essay submission, Boykin recalled how he was influenced to become a nurse by a nurse practitioner, Karen Tiller, who he met while working as a nursing assistant.

“My original plan, which I created since high school, was to pursue medicine. I figured that I could be the first member of my family to be a doctor,” Boykin wrote.

“Well, my life did not go according to plan. However, I did enter the health field as a medical assistant. In 2010, I met Karen Tiller. She is a nurse practitioner that I have worked with for 8 years.”

“During this time, she inspired me to pursue nursing. Karen has taught me valuable lessons that have kept my fire going. She is an excellent mentor. I have always watched her work with amazement. I want to be just like her. Now I am towards the end of my current program and I cannot deny that Karen has been there by my side,” Boykin continued.

Boykin recalled a recent medical trip he took to Honduras with his nursing classmates at Resurrection University, and the tremendous effect it had on him.

“I recently went on a mission trip to Honduras with some of my nursing classmates and instructors. We had several teams serving patients from medical and pharmacy, dental, vision, construction, and evangelical.”

“I was on a medical team with one of my instructors (who was also a nurse practitioner), and a translator. As I received the patients’ complaints, I could reflect on my experiences with Karen and provide a diagnosis, and course of treatment for each patient.”

“My instructor was very impressed with my skills and she told me that I would make an excellent nurse, and even a better (nurse) practitioner. This is my calling. I want to be a nurse practitioner and I am willing to move heaven and earth to make it happen,” he added.

All of us at SignatureCare Emergency Center wish Aaron Boykin more success as he pursues his life’s goals.

SignatureCare Emergency Center awards one $1,000 scholarship to a deserving student in the medical field, each semester. To qualify, the applicant must be a full-time student enrolled at an accredited U.S. university, with a 3.0 GPA or higher.

They must submit a 500-word essay or a 30-second video to be considered. Complete information is on the scholarship application page.

SignatureCare Emergency Center owns and manages the fastest growing group of emergency rooms throughout Texas. We currently have ERs in Houston (Houston Heights, Montrose, Copperfield, Memorial City, Westchase and Cypress/FM 1960), Bellaire, Sugar Land, Stafford, Killeen, Austin, College Station, Midland, Paris, Odessa and Texarkana.