West Seneca Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on Sept. 3
Kimberly Pham of Cheektowaga, a 2020 graduate of Cheektowaga Central High School, is the 2020 recipient of the JD Cappuccio Memorial Scholarship. The award was recently presented by Dr. David Cappuccio, owner of Seneca Ridge Dental at 3626 Seneca St. in West Seneca.
The $1,000 award is made annually in honor of David’s father, Dr. Joseph D. Cappuccio. The late Dr. Cappuccio served as chief resident adviser to Strong Hospital family practice residents and was an advocate of evidence-based medical practice during a time when anecdotal patient care was still mainstream. His contributions to the medical field have had far-reaching influences among healthcare providers across the globe.
Dr. Joseph Cappuccio was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age seven and overcame a series of health complications throughout his life. The challenges related to diabetes and its associated conditions such as retinopathy, heart and kidney failure, peripheral neuropathy and hypoglycemic attacks were ever-present obstacles. Despite these challenges, Dr. Cappuccio was able to achieve a great deal of success.
“Through this scholarship we remember the life of my father and his ability to excel in spite of his medical challenges,” said Dr. David Cappuccio. “This scholarship award acknowledges a high school student who demonstrates an ability to overcome difficult circumstances and grow from adversity.”
Now a freshman at the University at Buffalo, Pham’s scholarship application provided background on both the hardships she and her family have experienced, and her impressive goals for the future.
Pham described how she and her mother escaped homelessness in Georgia for a new life in Western New York. While still in Georgia, her mother was in an accident, causing her to lose her job and their place to stay. Each day after school, Kimberly took on the role of primary caregiver, searching for government housing while driving her mother to numerous doctor’s appointments.
“Becoming a regular face at many offices, I met many healthcare workers who were committed to helping my mother regardless of the language barrier,” Pham wrote. “Not only did they teach me ways I could help her at home from physical therapy exercises to stretches, the healthcare workers also motivated me in school. While helping me choose my path after high school, a lot of the stories they shared helped me realize the importance as to why they chose their career. They wanted to help others and I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do.
“I was able to make many good friends with the staff as I was there almost every day alongside my mother while also balancing school and my extracurriculars. The healthcare workers who cared for my mother helped me realize that my goal in life was to give back in the way they have helped me. Not only was my goal to make a name for myself but to also make a difference.
“Nursing will allow me to dedicate my time to serving those in my community. I hope to become a more understanding individual and represent the better side to nursing. As I plan on joining the Army after obtaining my bachelor’s, I would like to travel to third world countries to help those who wouldn’t have access to healthcare or treatment.
“Knowing now that I finally have a permanent place to stay, I am able to focus on my academics and work part-time to help pay the bills. As I continue my studies, I hope to inspire others in overcoming hardship and furthering their education for the better. I learned to persevere through any challenges so I never end up back where I was. Overall, I hope to grow as a person and make a career out of helping others and giving back my time into bettering myself and those around me.”
For more information on Seneca Ridge Dental, please call 674-9444, email smiles@senecaridgedental.com or visit www.senecaridgedental.com.
Original source can be found here.
Source: West Seneca Chamber of Commerce
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