Student of the Month: Pima Medical Institute Student Named National Scholarship Winner

Va Leenia West, a student in the Medical Assistant program at Pima Medical Institute in Colorado Springs, has been named the winner of a national scholarship offered by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), and is February’s CECU Student of the Month. 

Through challenges such as facing homelessness while attending school, working, and supporting her family, Va Leenia remained dedicated to her education. Because of this, faculty and staff at Pima Medical decided to nominate her for the $5,000 Christopher J. Eaton scholarship.

“She’s had an uphill climb,” said Pima Medical Institute Colorado Springs Campus Director, Tara Dailey, in a statement. “She needs a chance in life. We wanted to be able to help her get that.”
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Both Va Leenia and her husband are pursuing careers in the medical field, and hope to work together after they have completed their education.

“The scholarship will really help us,” she said. “My son, Elijah—he’s my whole world. He’s the reason I got into the medical field.”

Va Leenia is expected to graduate in April, and has enjoyed her program at Pima Medical. “So far the program’s been good,” she said. “There have been a few things I’ve struggled with, but the instructors have been really helpful. When you need something you can just go talk to them. I really love the teachers here.”
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CECU is proud to support schools who give students like Va Leenia West a chance to succeed and improve their lives. Congratulations on being CECU’s Student of the Month, Va Leenia!