2004 Grant & Scholarship Awards
Cheraskin Research Grants Awarded
It is our privilege to announce the 2004 recipients of the Cheraskin Research Grants.
Lisa Cox, candidate for the Ph.D. in Holistic Nutrition, is the recipient of the Cheraskin Research Grant for Holistic Nutrition. Ms. Cox plans to research the social impact of globalization and the ensuing economic changes in the country of Dominica. Her proposed research study hypothesizes the existence of a correlation between the health variables of nutrition-related conditions such as obesity and heart disease, and the changing economic conditions in that country. The study is expected to provide significant information toward solutions for use in policy-making concerning health and economic conditions in this and other areas experiencing health and nutrition problems concurrent with globalization.
Brooke Pillifant, candidate for the Ph.D. in Natural Health, is the recipient of the Cheraskin Research Grant for Natural Health. She proposes to explore the utilization of alternative modalities of self-care among African Americans of limited income in the New Orleans area, with a focus on the personal practice of herbal and folk remedies. Ms. Pillifant will also research disclosure rates of survey respondents to physicians and pharmacists, concerning the use of these modalities. The study is expected to facilitate the exchange of information among these and other community health care providers and their clients, and assist in meeting the needs of an under-served population. Of additional significance is the concern that the long-standing tradition of use of these modalities has been a cultural strength which may be disappearing from practice in urban African American populations.
We would like to express our congratulations to these two researchers, and are confident that they will make significant contributions to the growing field of natural health.
Scholarships Awarded
|
 |
||||||||||||||||||||
With over 260 fantastic applications this year, awarding scholarships was no easy task! Donations to our scholarship fund enabled us to offer four independent scholarships this year in addition to our annual Nella B. Oppenborn and Peg Clayton Scholarships. We feel fortunate to have such generosity bestowed upon us and are even happier to be able to share it with you.
Peg Clayton Scholarship
John Winters is a leader in his community and a teacher in Harlem. He is currently in the process of opening an elementary school that will include natural health lessons in the students’ curriculum. He writes, “In three to five years I will use the school as a base to catapult a natural health initiative for children, parents and all residents of the Harlem/NYC communities. The initiative will include exercise and cooking classes during the evenings and weekends. Being that the program will be based in the school, the initiative will also include important links between nutrition, health and the learning process.”
Shelleye Blasingame works for the U.S. Agency for International Development in Tel Aviv, Israel. She is an English language instructor and media writer. She is a freelance writer for the U.S.A.I.D. and has written over 30 articles focused on natural health and holistic nutrition. Her particular interest in natural health is endometriosis and pelvic pain, “two conditions where patients often lack access to the alternative healthcare options available to them.” She plans to conduct a study that analyzes the correlation between nutritional choices and pain levels in women with medically diagnosed endometriosis. It is her plan to develop a curriculum for women with chronic pelvic pain. She has been requested by the embassy to provide their staff with workshops focusing on holistic lifestyle and nutrition.
Nella B. Oppenborn Scholarship
Joyce Hammett is a master gardener and an advocate for natural health. Her interest in herbs started when she began to plant herbs and edible flowers around her home. She would share the fresh and dried herbs with others, and then realized that there was much more to be learned about these plants. Her desire is to educate the aging population about the benefit of herbs, and help them to plant and grow gardens. She would like to educate children in her community about herbs and their healthy/healing powers and is interested in organizing statewide conferences for promotion of all things holistic.
Independent Scholarships
Delores Argutto is a certified nutrition consultant and fitness trainer. She has written a nutritional column for two local newspapers and states that one of her most rewarding experiences was teaching aerobics to mentally retarded adults in her community. Delores desires a formal education so that she can achieve what she believes she is truly capable of. A physician recently asked Delores to rent space in his office so that he could refer his patients to her for nutritional consultation.
Mary Dieffenbach is a geriatrics nurse. She teaches yoga, provides ear candling and shares her natural health knowledge with the staff and co-workers. Some of her visions for the retirement community where she works include, “acquiring acreage so residents can garden; care for animals; eat organic diets from the gardens; take cooking classes; enjoy exercise including yoga, dance and nature walks; have access to library resources including books on tape; participate in discussion groups; study herbs and aromatherapy; and enjoy good health with very limited amounts of medications.”
Marta Hermosillo is a dance instructor, Certified Dental Assistant, and Registered Dental Hygienist. Her experiences with her dental occupation have brought her to respect and embrace the need for a healthy lifestyle. She believes that “total nutritional wellness is directly related to one’s health or medical conditions.” Her goal is to open an all-inclusive “Holistic Health Network and Family Fitness Center, embracing CAM.” The mission of this center will be “to bring about much growth and change in the lifestyles of others so that they, in turn, will have the energy and insight to better serve, love and care for others.”
Susan Secord is a life coach and organizes monthly seminars at an N.D.’s office on natural health and holistic nutrition. She has created a non-profit organization for health and wellness research and education. Her short-term vision is to continue coordinating seminars on natural health and her long-term vision is to author books, have a successful natural health practice, and own a healing center so that she can continue her passion of teaching.
Congratulations to all the 2004 recipients, and welcome to CCNH!
 |
|
 |
|
|
|