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Press Releases: 2010

Select Health Invests in the Future through Education

Winner of First Choice/First Choice Kids Member Scholarship Announced

Select Health of South Carolina today announced the recipient of its second 2010 First Choice/First Choice Kids Member Scholarship, Ms. Jalissa Fulton of Columbia, SC.  Jalissa is a senior at Richland Northeast High School in Columbia, SC and will be attending the University of South Carolina in the fall to study clinical psychology and theatre.  The First Choice/First Choice Kids Member Scholarship is part of Select Health’s Caring 10 initiative, a ten-year, $200,000 commitment to provide financial assistance to members of the community in pursuit of higher education.

“We are awarding the First Choice/First Choice Kids Member Scholarship to a young lady who is not only a leader, but committed to her future and her education,” said J. Michael Jernigan, president and chief executive officer of Select Health.  “This scholarship will help Jalissa pursue her goal of achieving a college education and one day serving her community.”

Jalissa was awarded the scholarship based on the quality of her recommendations, post-high school plans and personal essay.  She attributes her interest in clinical psychology to her concern for others combined with her love of Advanced Placement biology.  While Jalissa acknowledged that she was going to miss her close friends in high school, she had a great message for other high school students.

“Stay focused, know who you are and know what you’re going to do,” said Jalissa Fulton, First Choice/First Choice Kids Member Scholarship beneficiary.  “Don’t get caught up in the drama. It’s never that serious.  Your academics are serious; that’s what matters.” 

Caring 10 is a two-part campaign dedicated to Select Health’s mission and continued service to members and communities. In addition to the First Choice/First Choice Kids Member Scholarship program, Caring 10 also includes a Select Health associate program.  For the next ten years, associates will choose an element from Select Health’s mission, vision or values as a focus for support.  As part of the program, associates will partner with a community organization that exemplifies and complements Select Health’s mission, vision and values.  Associates will also work with the organization on service and fund-raising activities throughout the year. 

For more information about the Caring 10 First Choice/First Choice Kids Member Scholarship Program, please call 1-866-466-7772.

About Select Health
Incorporated in 1995, Select Health was licensed as a Health Maintenance Organization by the South Carolina Department of Insurance in 1996.  Later that year, the company contracted with the Department of Health and Human Services to offer First Choice, the state’s first Medicaid health plan.  Select Health is a wholly owned subsidiary of AmeriHealth Mercy. The AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies touches the lives of more than 6.5 million members nationwide.