Monroe Community College to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of National EMS Week with New Scholarship
May 22, 2024
Funded by Rochester City Council at the Direction of Rochester City Council Vice President, LaShay D. Harris
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – At the direction of Rochester City Council Vice President LaShay D. Harris, the Rochester City Council announced that it will fund the Suki Regoni Paramedic Scholarship for Monroe Community College students pursuing a paramedic AAS Degree or Certification. Three students will be awarded $1,500 annually as part of the fund for the next four years.
This comes as the National EMS Week honors those who came before and paves a path for the next generation of EMS professionals. The scholarship is named in honor of Suki Regoni, Monroe County’s first Latina Paramedic, who died in 1993. Regoni graduated from MCC in 1992 and worked for National Ambulance in Rochester. She also served as SEIU 200-United President, the only EMS labor union in Monroe County.
“Suki’s legacy inspired me to become the Paramedic and educator I am today,” said LaShay Harris, Rochester City Council Vice President. “This scholarship aims to support candidates pursuing a career as a paramedic. The goal is to reduce the financial burden for these students. The challenging curriculum can be intense, especially for those balancing work and studies. This scholarship would provide much-needed assistance,”
“EMS faces an unprecedented workforce shortage that impacts the ability of our healthcare system to respond to the public’s need for emergency medical care” said Nicole Amendolare, EMS Education Programs Manager at MCC. “Scholarship support has such an impact on our students in the paramedic program. The Suki Regoni Scholarship will reduce fiscal challenges for students and allow them to focus more on their studies. We look forward to partnering with Rochester City Council Vice President LaShay D. Harris.”
“I am very excited that this scholarship is available thanks to the efforts of Councilwoman Harris,” added William Comella, Ed.M., NR-P, CCP-C Paramedic Program Coordinator/Instructor. “Elimination of financial barriers is critical to recruiting new paramedics to care for emergency patients in the City of Rochester.”
Applicants must submit a brief essay answering the questions “What does EMS mean to you?” and “How will you use your credentials to serve the City of Rochester?”, hold a minimum 2.0 grade point average, and demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to applicants residing or employed by AMR Rochester in zip codes 14604, 14605, 14606, 14607, 14608, 14609, 14611, 14613, 14614, 14615, 14619, 14620, and 14621.
The Monroe Community College Foundation seeks philanthropic investment to advance academic achievement, innovation, and the mission of excellence at the college.
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