Special Tree Awards Scholarships to Eleven Outstanding College-Bound Seniors

Since 1995, Special Tree has awarded 150 scholarships totaling over $100,000 to outstanding local students to pursue careers in healthcare and rehabilitation

For the fifteenth consecutive year, Special Tree has awarded scholarships to college-bound seniors from high schools located near Special Tree’s inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation facilities located in Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, Midland and Saginaw counties. This year, 11 exceptional students received a cash scholarship of $1000 to use towards their college expenses. To help with the rising costs of higher education, Special Tree increased the scholarship award from $750 to $1000 in 2009.

Special Tree’s Healthcare and Rehabilitation Scholarship was created in 1995 to encourage college-bound students to pursue healthcare careers and to increase awareness of traumatic brain injury. The competitive scholarship is based on a student’s academic achievement, community involvement, school activities, references, and an interest in a healthcare or rehabilitation career. With this year’s awards, Special Tree has contributed over $100,000 in scholarships to 150 deserving students since the program’s inception.


This year’s winner are:

Jumoke Cadmus, Birmingham Groves HS
Kaitlyn Polonis, Chippewa Valley HS, Clinton Twp.
Angie Souva, Flat Rock HS
Autumn DeGroat, Freeland HS
Shelb y Otter, New Boston Huron HS
Jessica Surcek, Riverview HS, Riverview
Daijah Street, Romulus HS
Kristina Phelan, Royal Oak HS
Alyssa McCullough, Southgate HS
Shiv Annamalai, Troy Athens HS
Jessica Knoblauch, Warren Mott HS

"We strongly believe in encouraging young people to consider careers in healthcare," said Special Tree CEO Joseph Richert. "With the dire need for more healthcare professionals and the increasing costs of higher education, Special Tree is happy to assist our scholarship winners in achieving their educational goals."

In addition to providing financial support for students’ college educations, Special Tree hosts both high school and college students for clinical internships and job shadowing programs in a wide range of disciplines including OT, Speech, PT, Case Management, Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, Social Work, Psychology, and Recreational Therapy.