Community Corner

Smithtown West Grad Nets $250 Hospital Scholarship

Matthew Prager awarded scholarship after finishing St. Catherine of Sienna intern program.

Matthew Prager, recent Smithtown High School West graduate will start his college journey at Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts, this fall—and with extra funds, as a result of his award winning essay submitted for St. Catherine of Siena’s Medical Staff Scholarship award. 

Prager credits the $250  scholarship win to completing the hospital’s Health Care Career Exploration and Internship Program. 

“I knew I wanted to work in health care, and the internship gave me that extra step ahead, especially after listening to a lecture from Jose Perez, who is a physician assistant at the hospital, ,” said Prager. “I listened to every word he said and knew at that moment I found the area I wanted to work in—I want to be a physician assistant.”

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Prager was one of the 28 students that graduated from the program this spring. The Health Care Career Exploration and Internship Program initiated through a partnership with the Smithtown Industry Advisory Board to offer high school students the opportunity to earn credits while gaining hands-on experience. The program has grown to include Commack High School. 

Students receive a half a health credit through participation in a 16-week lecture series in health care careers, including nursing, pharmacy, dietary and laboratory.

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