Office of Development & Khatali Alumni Relations

La Tierra Scholarships

La Tierra Sagrada Society Dean's Endowed Scholarship

2009 Recipients

Heidi Hillesland
Laura Caragol
Elaina Sandoval
Mary Seiler
Jessica M. Valdez
Jamie R. Ruiz
Jesse Y. Howell

2008 Recipients

Melissa Valdez
Tiffany DiGiacomo
Miki Mathes
Janelle Heimberger
LeRoy Danielson
Ateefa Chaudhury

2007 Recipients

Dustin Richter
Andrea King
Tony Salazar
Elena Bissell

2009 Scholarship Recipients

Providing Scholarship Funds to Retain Our Brightest Students

La Tierra Sagrada Society Dean’s Endowed Scholarship

Heidi Hillesland Class of 2010 $5,000

La Tierra Sagrada Society Dean’s Endowed Scholarship

Heidi is a native of Silver City, NM.

“Currently applying for internal medicine residency, I anticipate I will be completing a fellowship in infectious diseases following residency. I intend to become a physician scientist who works both as a clinician and researcher on a disease that disproportionately afflicts the poor.”

La Tierra Sagrada Society Member-Sponsored Scholarships

As a benefit of his LTSS Gold Level Member, Vance Masci, MD is the scholarship sponsor for Laura Caragol and Elaina Sandoval. Dr. Masci has been a member of the society since 2004.

Laura Caragol Class of 2012 $2,500

Elaina Sandoval Class of 2012 $2,500

La Tierra Sagrada Society Scholarships

Mary Seiler Class of 2012 $2,500

LTSS Scholarship

Mary is a native of Taos, NM.

“I want to work in an environment that values health care equality — where people with nothing are treated as well as people with everything. I want to remember that I do not have to be a prisoner to policy, but I can help create it. Every one of my patients should feel that I provided them with the best care I could.”

Jessica M. Valdez Class of 2011 $2,500

LTSS Scholarship

Jessica is a native of Española, NM.

“While volunteering at Camp Enchantment — a camp for children who have ever had cancer — an experience shaped my idea of medicine. I witnessed the excitement of kids running up to physicians like Dr. Stuart Winter with their arms open, giving and getting huge hugs. It made me realize just how important it is to be compassionate, intelligent, hard working, and caring. These are the qualities that make up a great doctor.”

Jamie R. Ruiz Class of 2012 $2,500

LTSS Scholarship

Jamie is a native of Albuquerque, NM.

“This year I organized the El Salvador Outreach Project with a group of six medical students interested in the global demand for medicine. Our travels will take us to rural El Salvador, participating in public health initiatives, youth sports outreach, and HIV education. This type of work makes me feel like I belong in the medical field, and I enjoy sharing my passion with other students so that they may come to care deeply about people in need.”

Jesse Y. Howell Class of 2011 $2,500

LTSS Scholarship

Jesse is a native of Las Cruces, NM.

“I hope to return to my roots in southern New Mexico and work in a specialty, such as dermatology, radiology, or ENT. After completing medical school, I look forward to practicing in that area of our state and continuing medical research activities as well as giving back to the community by volunteering time at St. Luke’s Health Clinic, which serves homeless and indigent populations.”

2008 Scholarship Recipients

Melissa Valdez - Class of 2010
LTSS Dean's Endowed Scholarship
$5,000

Melissa is a native of Ojo Caliente, NM.

"I am convinced I want to do a residency in Family medicine with a fellowship in Maternal-Child Health. My husband and I would love to return home to Ojo Caliente where I can build my practice, and we can raise our children."

LTSS Member-Sponsored Scholarships

As a benefit of his LTSS Gold Level Member, Jeff Doll, Assistant Vice President, Merrill Lynch, is the scholarship sponsor for Tiffany DiGiacomo and Miki Mathes. Jeff was the society's third president, and is currently serving his second term on the LTSS Board of Directors.

Tiffany DiGiacomo - Class of 2011
Sponsored by Jeff Doll, Asst. VP Merrill Lynch
$2,500

Tiffany is a native of Gallup, NM.

"Coming from a rural area, I have consistently seen the problems of the health care shortage and economic strife. I want to work with underserved populations and help bridge the health disparities that are so overwhelmingly present in rural communities."

Miki Mathes - Class of 2011

Sponsored by Jeff Doll, Asst. VP Merrill Lynch
$2,500

Miki is a native of Albuquerque, NM

"I believe that I can make a difference in the lives of other disabled individuals by advocating for better healthcare, making medical experiences less stressful, and above all, providing people with disabilities the incentive and encouragement to open their horizons to new possibilities."

LTSS Scholarships

Janelle Heimberger - Class of 2011
LTSS Scholarship
$2,500

Janelle is a native of Santa Fe, NM.

"Prior to beginning medical school, I spent five years in public health in Northern NM. During this time, I helped un-and -underserved people get medical care. My hope is to continue this work as a physician, and to return to Northern NM to practice."

LeRoy Danielson - Class of 2011
LTSS Scholarship
$2,500

Now a resident of New Mexico, LeRoy is originally from Southeastern Minnesota.

"For 10 years I worked in hospitals, on ambulances, and in homeless clinics and agencies. Becoming a doctor was my best opportunity to help. My summer experience on the Navajo Reservation in Shiprock opened my eyes to many possibilities in medicine."

Ateefa Chaudhury - Class of 2011
LTSS Scholarship
$2,500

Now a resident of New Mexico, Ateefa is originally from Bangladesh.

"From a young age, I dreamed of becoming a doctor. It was seeing patients leave my uncle's ophthalmology clinic in Bangladesh with smiles on their faces that made me realize excellent medical care was a combination of treatment and personal interactions. I too want to make that same difference for others and hope to open free clinics in underserved areas."