2023 Parkinson Scholars
Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health 2023 Scholars
2023-2024 Parkinson Scholars
Parkinson Scholars are extraordinary students committed to helping ensure access to quality health care for all
The Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health is excited to announce this year's Parkinson Scholars. Named for Loyola University Chicago alumni Robert (“Bob”) and Betty Parkinson, the Robert and Betty Parkinson Social Justice Scholars Award honors their commitment to helping ensure access to quality health care and the recognition that health care is a basic human right. The Parkinson Scholars represent a group of exceptionally talented students who are dedicated to being “persons for others” and plan to use their Parkinson education to improve the health and health care of individuals, communities, and systems.
This year's 12 Scholars from the school’s Applied Health Sciences, Healthcare Administration, and Public Health Sciences departments bring the total number of students to receive this prestigious award to 47 since the scholarship was introduced in 2021. Each Scholar receives a $8,000 tuition-restricted scholarship and additional funds to support scholarly activity. With this scholarship, recipients will have the opportunity to expand their social justice leadership skills through community service, scholarly activity, and mentorship of future Parkinson Scholars.
To be a Parkinson Scholar represents the opportunity to be a "person for others" and to stand by the ideal that health is a right for every individual. Anna Labriola, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Class of 2025
2023 Parkinson Scholar
Barrett Barscz
BS in Exercise Science, Class of 2025
“I am honored to have the opportunity to represent the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health. I am so grateful for all the opportunities that the Loyola and greater Chicago community have given me, and I am so excited to be able to give back to these communities through service, outreach, and social justice advocacy.”
2023 Parkinson Scholar
Stefanie Cruz
Master in Healthcare Administration (MHA), Class of 2025
"I am grateful to receive the Parkinson Scholar Award and to be in this program. Thank you so much, Loyola University for this opportunity. Thank you, Robert and Betty for your commitment to better healthcare and for acknowledging healthcare as a basic human right. I believe that we will eventually reach our goal and make healthcare a basic human right. Thank you so much for this opportunity, it means the world to me."
2023 Parkinson Scholar
Angel Flores
MS in Medical Laboratory Science, Class of 2025
“Echoing Robert and Betty Parkinson’s message, what it means to be a Parkinson Scholar to me is – not simply looking at things for what they are, but for what they can be. There is always room for improvement, a way to make things better, even if it is just by a bit. Recognizing that while much progress has been made to improve the lives of millions of people, there is still much work to be done. But it all starts with a vision. As a future medical scientist, I hope not only to work on improving the quality of health care in the lab, but also outside of the lab. Thank you”
2023 Parkinson Scholar
Magdalena Guerra
MS in Exercise Science, Class of 2025
“Being a Parkinson Scholar means advocating for diversity, making educational resources readily accessible, taking necessary steps towards equity in the healthcare system, and creating a space where health and wellness is inclusive of everybody.”
2023 Parkinson Scholar
Shoaib Haq
BS in Healthcare Administration, Class of 2024
“Access to quality healthcare has been at the forefront of my education, future, career, and research. This opportunity to engage in further scholarly activities and community engagement through upholding the values of Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health and being selected a Parkinson Scholar is both a unique and valuable experience."
2023 Parkinson Scholar
Anna Labriola
BS in Exercise Science & BA in Dance, Class of 2025
"To be a Parkinson Scholar represents the opportunity to be a "person for others" and to stand by the ideal that health is a right for every individual. I look forward to expanding my knowledge and advocacy skills within the healthcare field as I finish my time as an undergraduate with the generosity of the Parkinson Scholarship."
2023 Parkinson Scholar
Nell Lesnik
MS in Dietetics, Class of 2025
“As a Parkinson Scholar I am excited to work towards creating a healthier and more just world.”
2023 Parkinson Scholar
Katherine Platanitis
MS in Dietetics, Class of 2025
“I am honored and thrilled to have been chosen as a Parkinson Scholar. A unique opportunity as such will allow me to improve the quality of health care and work towards giving back to our community.”
2023 Parkinson Scholar
Akshita Ponnuru
BS in Healthcare Administration, Class of 2025
“Being a Parkinson Scholar entails having numerous opportunities to employ our knowledge and resources in order to give back to the community through innovative approaches. This is particularly relevant in the healthcare field, which is filled with numerous issues demanding attention. By adopting fresh and creative approaches, we can gradually begin to address these challenges one by one. In this regard, being a Parkinson Scholar provides me with the platform to do precisely that – think outside the box and contribute effectively to these issues.”
2023 Parkinson Scholar
Mia Silvestros
4+1 BSPH/MPH, Class of 2025
“It is an honor to be a Parkinson Scholar! I hope to represent the collective desire to increase health equity that is shared amongst my public health peers at Parkinson during my time as a Scholar.”
2023 Parkinson Scholar
Laiba Sukhera
BS in Public Health, Class of 2025
“I am honored to be selected as a Parkinson Scholar. As a Parkinson Scholar, I am presented with the opportunity to influence underprivileged and impoverished communities as I embark on this new journey. I hope to expand my knowledge of health equity, diversify my skillset, and improve the lives of communities through active service.”
2023 Parkinson Scholar
Lindsay Zigmant
MSW/MPH
“Health equity goes beyond policy and requires individuals to trust and understand their own healthcare. True equity cannot be attained until all communities have access to care and feel safe and seen in their care. To be a Parkinson Scholar means to use my education to shape and advocate for policy that broadens healthcare informed by community-level engagement.”
I am honored and thrilled to have been chosen as a Parkinson Scholar. A unique opportunity as such will allow me to improve the quality of health care and work towards giving back to our community.” Katherine Platanitis, Master of Science in Dietetics, Class of 2025