2017 Scholars, Wayne State Students Receive Rutan Scholarships.

Wayne State Students Receive Rutan Scholarships 2017

Left: English Karas, Kelsie Blamer, Carly Kyriazis, Rachel Jason

English Karas

English was raised in the small town of Goodrich, MI. She completed her undergraduate work at Saginaw Valley State University where she majored in Health Science. During her undergraduate career she worked as a lead research assistant in the biology labs. Before PA school, she worked as a nursing assistant at Mclaren Hospital on a telemetry floor where she was able to work with numerous PAs which gave her a great understanding of the career. After graduation she started school at Wayne State University in their PA program. She is hoping to work in obstetrics/gynecology or pediatrics after graduation. English is well supported by her parents, three little sisters and husband and can’t wait to begin a career as a PA in the near future.

She is thankful to the Rutan family for their continued support to the program and for the generous Lara Rutan Memorial Scholarship that she received. The scholarship will assist in her in accomplishing her dream of becoming a PA and she is grateful for their generosity to her education.

Kelsie Blamer

Kelsie is a second year student in the Wayne State PA Program and graduated from Michigan State University with honors in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. During undergrad she was involved in MSU’s Pre-Physician Assistant Club, Phi Epsilon Kappa, Golden Key International Honour Society, and various research studies. During this time she was also involved in various volunteer events such as Destination Detroit, MSU’s Day of Service, Boys and Girls Club of Lansing, Relay for Life, Operation Christmas, American Red Cross Blood Drives, Greater Lansing Food Bank, and Ronald McDonald House. She is currently an active member of the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants (MAPA).

While studying at MSU she became a Certified Nursing Assistant and completed direct patient care hours for PA school during the weekends at Ingham County Medical Care Facility in Okemos, MI. After graduation, she continued working as a CNA at Wellspring Lutheran Services in Mio, MI during 2015 until starting Physician Assistant School at Wayne State in May 2016. The gratifying experiences gained and relationships formed at these establishments solidified that she was choosing the right career path.

She moved to Detroit from Mio, MI to complete the program so her goal is to move back up north to work in a medically underserved area after completion of the program. While she is currently undecided on the field she plans to work in she is excited to gain more experience during her clinical year to find her true passion. She is truly thankful to Mrs. And Mr. Rutan and all those who support this scholarship.

Carly Kyriazis, BS, PA-S

Carly graduated from Wayne State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Carly was part of the Community of Scholars and involved in the Pre-Physician Assistant Society at WSU. During her undergraduate education, she also spent time volunteering at the DMC Children’s Hospital, and tutoring underprivileged children in Detroit.

While attending college full-time, Carly was also employed at St. Mary Mercy Hospital as an inpatient phlebotomist, as well as at Infinity Primary Care as a medical assistant. Both of these positions allowed her to gain essential patient care experience and exercise the teamwork qualities she had gained over the years by interacting with all aspects of health care team. Carly enjoyed working as a phlebotomist and a medical assistant, but she also wanted to provide a greater contribution to the team-oriented nature of healthcare and patient education, which is what inspired her drive to become a PA.

Carly is currently undecided on which area of medicine she would like to practice in. She is very eager to see which areas of medicine she is most passionate about as she gains experience throughout her clinical rotations. Carly feels very honored that she was selected to receive the award. She would like to express her immeasurable gratitude to the Rutan family, as well as to those who have continued to support the Rutan scholarship, and to honor Lara’s legacy with each passing year.

Rachel Jason, BA, PA-S

Rachel graduated from Adrian College in December 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, mathematics minor and summa cum laude honors. Throughout her undergraduate studies, she played Varsity softball and became involved on campus and in the community. Rachel accumulated one-hundred volunteer hours, reestablished and served as President of the Pre-Health Professions Society, organized and led a group of fourteen students on a global health mission trip to Central America through International Service Learning, served as the Mortar Board Honor Society Secretary, participated in a semester long independent study research opportunity, tutored, mentored students, and was a member of six national honor societies. Rachel also worked at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia and accumulated over 1,000 clinical hours.

Currently, Rachel serves as the fundraising chair for the WSU PA Class of 2018. She organized a golf outing fundraiser, raising over $11,000. Rachel continues to seek out fundraising opportunities in order to raise funds for her class’s white coat ceremony and to purchase professional memberships for the PA Class of 2019. She is also looking forward to help fundraise for the Lara Rutan Endowment fund.

Rachel is fully aware of the fortune and blessings she has in her life, including a respectable education and remarkable healthcare, and she strives to not take such aspects for granted. Rachel would be honored and privileged to someday give back to the people in the community who have been less fortunate than herself. Hence, she can foresee a career working with the underserved population in a hospital setting and continuing volunteer work throughout a lifetime. Rachel is very grateful to the Rutan family and those who donate to Lara’s Legacy, making this scholarship opportunity available.

If you would like to donate click the link below.

Parents of physician assistant studies alumna celebrate daughter’s life and legacy with memorial scholarship