Three Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) students from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) have learned that they will receive considerable assistance in the repayment their student loan debt. The students, Benedict L. Belcik of Girard, Ohio; Vincent Caicco of Niles, Ohio; and Gregory R. Delost of Boardman, Ohio, have been selected for $100,000 scholarships by Humility of Mary Health Partners (HMHP) of the Youngstown-Warren, Ohio area. The scholarships provide each student with $50,000 for each of the final two years of medical school.
The profoundly purposed mission of Humility of Mary Health Partners is aligned comfortably with that of LECOM. Both institutions strive to provide care to those who most need it. When Providence has opened the way,
The news comes to the students with added delight as the LECOM threesome are among only five Benedict Belcik, OMS4 individuals in all to receive the estimable stipend from HMHP.
Vincent Caicco, OMS4
Humility of Mary Health Partners is an integrated health system that includes three hospitals in northeast Ohio: St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown, St. Joseph Health Center in Warren, and St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center in Boardman. The scholarship award requires the recipients to spend five years in practice with the medical staff at one of the Humility of Mary Health Partners hospitals. The postresidency requirement seeks to ensure that the Youngstown area maintains an adequate number of physicians. Applicants were selected based upon their academic credentials, their commitment to practicing in the greater Youngstown area, and their commitment to the mission of Humility of Mary Health Partners. That mission includes providing care for the poor and underserved and “continuing Christ’s healing ministry;” both purpose-driven goals deeply supported and decidedly mirrored by LECOM. Of course, the significant $100,000 scholarship award to each of the three scholars will help them to repay their loans; but the magnanimous gift proves an even greater benefit to these recipients as the mission at the heart of the scholarship is firmly rooted in the virtuous pursuit of caring for those less fortunate, for the indigent, the elderly, and the underserved.
I want to do my part to help,” said Belcik, who graduated summa cum laude from Youngstown State University with a bachelor’s degree in biology. Belcik, who plans to pursue a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation with an emphasis upon sports medicine, also is appreciative of the scholarship because it will allow him greater freedom to choose a specialty. “It’s comforting to know that I’ll be able to focus upon that which I love to do, instead of going into a specialty based solely upon the pay scale,” he remarked. “Receiving this scholarship is a tremendous honor, because I’ve always considered the Youngstown area home and I’m very familiar with the people. I sincerely hope to make a difference as a physician and I genuinely look forward to returning to the community and to giving back,” expounded Caicco, a graduate of Ohio State University. Delost, who completed a clinical rotation at one of the Humility of Mary hospitals (St. Elizabeth Health Center), looks forward to serving with physicians whose mission and values are aligned with his own. “I was struck by the strong degree of compassion that the physicians have for their patients,” said Delost, who graduated summa cum laude from Gannon University. “The mission and values of HMHP are based upon improving the health of the underserved through a healing Christian ministry; one which embraces compassion, excellence, human dignity, justice, and the sacredness of life and service,” explained Delost.
Gregory Delost, OMS4
the new work must get started and award recipient, Benedict Belcik, noted that the scholarship offers him the freedom to choose a medical specialty based upon his interests, as opposed to opting for a higher paying speciality.
These young men now go forth into their own communities to serve in the whirlwind of need and healing. In that whirlwind, they are imbued with superlative LECOM medical training and the comprehensive service-based understanding as their work serves to better the quality of life of their neighbors and of their community.
Belcik, Caicco, and Delost are enthusiastic about the idea of practicing in their hometown. “I still have family there and @1LECOM | LECOM CONNECTION 17