Students attending an accredited PA program in Connecticut, or residents of the State of Connecticut attending an accredited PA program in another state, are eligible to apply for a scholarship. The Scholarship Committee will review all applications and awards will be announced at the Charter Oak Conference.
Charles Drew Morton Memorial Scholarship
Drew was a key legislative advocate for PAs in CT for many years. He fought for favorable PA language within the state and advocated for PAs during his entire medical career. He was elected President of ConnAPA and previously the Missouri Academy of PAs. He played a key role in changing policy and laws bolstering PA practice. His PA colleagues along with his family and friends will sincerely feel his absence.
The scholarship is awarded to a PA student who exemplifies interest, action and advocacy for PA policy, scope of practice, and law.
J. Jeffrey Heinrich Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is named in honor of Dr. J. Jeffrey Heinrich, who passed away May 10, 2020, and one of the Founders of the CT PAF and a CT PAF past president. He was also a past president of ConnAPA, the national PA Foundation, and the first president of the Society for the Preservation of Physician Assistant History.
Dr. Heinrich held numerous positions in the PA profession, beginning very early in his career, when in 1972 he became the first president of the organization of PA students that eventually became the Student Academy of the AAPA. Heinrich later served as treasurer on the AAPA Board of Directors, as president of the PA Foundation, and as president of both the Connecticut and District of Columbia PA academies. He was associate editor of the Physician Assistant journal for some years and co-authored more than 50 publications in clinical and academic journals.
He was the recipient of numerous awards and recognition over his career, including the AAPA Distinguished Service Award, the President’s Award from the Connecticut Academy of Physician Assistants, the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Duke University PA program (1992), the Civilian PA of the Year Award from the AAPA Veterans Caucus, and AAPA’s National Outstanding PA of the Year.
See more about Dr. Heinrich’s history
This scholarship is awarded to the student who most exemplifies community service.
Joseph L. Kaplowe Memorial Scholarship
Joe proudly served his country as a Medical Corpsman in the United States Navy. He then continued on to PA school and began his long career as a surgical PA. Joe accomplished many great things throughout his career. He was the Founding President of the New Hampshire Academy of Physician Assistants, helped to institute and foster the concept of PAs serving as surgical and critical care providers, lectured at several PA schools and served on the Disciplinary Board of Medical Examiners for the State of Connecticut. However one of the things Joe loved the most throughout his career was precepting PA students and mentoring junior PAs. His remarkable intellect, clinical savviness and ‘street smarts’ made him a favorite preceptor for decades of PA learners. He had an unforgettable sense of humor, encouraged others to not take life too seriously, shared his love for sailing and taught many lessons about life and about caring for our patients.
He worked tirelessly on numerous committees on both the state and national level and served as ConnAPA’s Chairman of the Legislative Committee for many years. He spearheaded many of ConnAPA’s legislative initiatives. He was a true leader and advocate for our profession.
This scholarship is awarded to a student who has proudly served our country and exemplifies overall excellence and dedication to the PA profession.