For Immediate Release
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Nov. 3, 2015 - Jaclyn Beck, a resident of West Milford, N.J. and a second year physician assistant graduate student at King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., has been awarded the Thomas J. Lemley Award for Diversity and Health Disparities.

The $1,500 scholarship was created for Pennsylvania physician assistant programs and is given to students who submit an essay, a PowerPoint, a video, or a photo slide show about an experience with patient interaction and health disparities.

Beck submitted an essay about a pediatric patient that she worked with and how it affected her outlook on the job.

Thomas J. Lemely joined the Air Force and became a physician assistant in 1976. Lemley was known for providing guidance to the United States Air Force Surgeon General and encouraging young men and women to become physician assistant students. Lemely established this scholarship in 2004 to find ways to increase awareness of the diverse needs of patients.

Beck obtained her bachelor’s degree at Montclair State University in New Jersey. She earned a degree in family and child studies with a concentration in child life specialist and pursued a minor in anthropology.

She also received the Nathaniel Alston Student Achievement Award at the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants Conference in Erie and the Expanding to Meet Heath Care Needs Grant which is a federally supported grant to physician assistant students dedicated to working in primary care after graduation. She also received the Kelsi Ever After Memorial Scholarship last year to begin a campaign against childhood obesity during her pediatrics clinical rotation.

Beck was the president of the 2016 physician assistant class during the previous academic year at King’s. She is also an overall head captain of King’s College Mini-THON. She is also an active member of the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants and the Child Life Council. She is also a certified pet therapy handler.

Beck attended missionary trips to Canada, Jamaica, New Mexico, San Francisco, and Peru. She is also a Compassion International Sponsor.

Pictured from the left is Clinical Coordinator and Associate Clinical Professor Jocelyn Hook, Jaclyn Beck, and Clinical Director and Associate Clinical Professor William Reynolds.