UNAC / UHCP Scholarship Programs
In 2013, UNAC/UHCP inaugurated an ambitious scholarship program, which remains a successful part of our union’s support of professional education, training, and advanced certification.
UNAC/UHCP has distributed close to 200 scholarships, through the Kathy J. Sackman Member Scholarship for UNAC/UHCP members; the Sonia Moseley Family Scholarship for family of UNAC/UHCP members; the Delima MacDonald Community Scholarship, an at-large scholarship; and the Alexis G. Philius Scholarship, aimed at increasing the number of health care professionals of Black/African descent.
Kathy J. Sackman Member Scholarship
The member scholarship was named for 33-year UNAC/UHCP President Kathy Sackman, RN, who grew the union from a handful of women at her kitchen table to 20,000 members all over Southern California when she retired in 2010. The UNAC/UHCP Kathy Sackman Member Scholarship Program is an ongoing program of scholarships available to UNAC/UHCP members to continue their education in the health care field.
- Five scholarships of $5,000 each
- Available to UNAC/UHCP members in good standing
Sonia Moseley Family Scholarship
The family scholarship was named for Sonia Moseley, NP, the voice of workers on the job and in the California Legislature and Board of Registered Nursing, as well as countless other U.S. agencies and commissions. The UNAC/UHCP Sonia Moseley Family Scholarship Program is an ongoing program of scholarships available to the spouses, registered domestic partners, and dependent children (as defined by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service) of UNAC/UHCP members.
- Five scholarships of $5,000 each
- Available to family members of UNAC/UHCP members in good standing
Delima MacDonald Community Scholarship
Delima MacDonald, RN, 30-year UNAC/UHCP Treasurer, taught generations of UNAC/UHCP affiliate leaders the value of a dollar, and ensured they spent union dollars wisely. The UNAC/UHCP Delima MacDonald Community Scholarship Program is an ongoing program of scholarships available to students seeking health care professional degrees at an accredited institution.
- Five scholarships of $2,000 each
- Available to community members
Alexis G. Philius Scholarship
The UNAC/UHCP Alexis G. Philius Scholarship is a UNAC/UHCP scholarship program introduced to provide resources and support to students of Black/African descent pursuing education toward a career in health care. Scholarships for $2,000 will be awarded to five students.
Lack of diversity has significant consequences on health outcomes, health equity for patients and communities of color. UNAC/UHCP has decided to address underrepresentation in health professions with this new scholarship.
Alexis Goudeau Philius, RN, noticed homeless people on Los Angeles streets on her commute to and from work and was inspired to make a difference. She founded Highly Favored: A Blessing to Others, a nonprofit organization that distributes food, toiletries, supplies, and warm clothing to homeless people in Los Angeles County. The organization is best known for the annual Backpack Friday drive held the day after Thanksgiving.
2024 Scholarship Review Committee
Each year, we rely on dedicated volunteers to help us review scholarship applications. The scholarship review committee is your chance to do your part for the future of health care in our union and in our community.
The UNAC/UHCP scholarship program will be reviewing scholarship applications this spring. This year, we will have scholarship applications available online, so that even more volunteers can take part in this inspiring activity.
Our members and community greatly benefit from all your hard work and desire to support their education in this way. You may be asked to review up to 20 short essays.
Sign up to be a scholarship reviewer!
- Register for an account.
- Click on the green button to complete the reviewer information form.
- Click Submit as Final.
- We will email you soon to provide more information.
Scholarship applications will be made available for review online and scores are due by June 18, 2024. If there are any questions, please email
scholarship@unacuhcp.org.
Special thanks to last year's Scholarship Review Committee! This program would not be possible without all our wonderful volunteer reviewers.
| Vannessa Alexander-Davis |
Sheree Chou |
Ioana Cohut |
| Dawn Driscoll |
Charles Ekasone |
Nancy Elbaum |
| Doug Giampietro |
Irene Grace Go |
Cynthia Leon |
| David Licea |
MyThuy Luu |
Karin Mak |
| George Miller |
Kimberly Mitchell |
Tritia Murillo |
| Susan Opas |
Miyeong Park |
Christina Perez |
| Geshalem Perez |
Alexis Philius |
Sheryl Quiamco |
| Jeff Rogers |
Brandy Rosero |
Emma Santiago |
| Scott Sia |
Denise Smith |
Donna Smith |
| Anjetta Thackeray |
Chanelle Wills |
Frequently Asked Questions
General information that apply to all UNAC/UHCP scholarship applications
- All scholarships will be awarded to students enrolled in a degree program or continuing education courses in a health care field at an accredited college, university, trade or technical school. Student must be enrolled in classes this fall, any time between August 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024.
- All applicants must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to apply. If an applicant is not currently in a degree program, applicant GPA in the last completed degree program must be at least 3.0.
- Awards will be paid to the college or university in which the recipient is enrolled and must be disbursed in August/September 2024.
- You can only apply through our online application system. No paper applications will be accepted.
- Applications will be released on February 16.
- Applicants can apply any time between February 16 - May 6, 2024. The online system will not accept any applications after 11:59 pm PST on May 6, 2024.
- Applicants will be notified of their status in August via email.
- If you have won a UNAC/UHCP scholarship in the past, you are not eligible to win another scholarship.
For questions about the application or scholarship claims process, please reach out to our scholarship team. Email:
scholarship@unacuhcp.org Question: Does a per diem member count as a member in good standing?
Answer: Yes. Per diem and part time UNAC/UHCP members are members in good standing as long as they are members.
Question: Does my brother who lives with me count as a family member?
Answer: We use the IRS definition of dependent, which states your brother or other family member must be a qualifying relative whom you claim as a dependent on your taxes. Please see the IRS language below:
A dependent is your qualifying child or qualifying relative. If you are entitled to claim an exemption for a dependent, that dependent can’t claim a personal exemption on his or her own tax return. Question: I won a UNAC/UHCP scholarship two years ago. Can my child still apply for a family scholarship?
Answer: The one lifetime scholarship award applies only to the actual recipient. So any qualifying family member can apply for a scholarship going forward provided he/she has not already won a UNAC/UHCP scholarship in a prior year.
Question: Are high school seniors eligible?
Answer: If you will be enrolled in a licensing, certification, or degree program in a health care field at an accredited college, university, trade or technical school any time between August 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024, you are eligible to apply.
Question: I am taking classes at different schools. Do I qualify?
Answer: Yes, however, if you are awarded a scholarship, funds will be distributed in August/September to one school only. The scholarship funds cannot be split between schools.
Question: How can I access my funds?
Answer: Funds will be distributed directly to the school. Scholarship winners must provide proof of enrollment from the office of registrar to UNAC/UHCP.
Question: My major is currently undeclared. Can I apply for a scholarship?
Answer: The application includes a question where applicant must list the license, certificate, or degree being sought. If a student is undeclared but plans to major in a specific science field and then pursue a health care license, certificate, or degree, that information should be included in the license, certificate, or degree sought field.
Question: When will I be notified?
Answer: All applicants will be notified of their status in August via email.
Question: I am a high school student and will be enrolled in a licensing, certification, or degree program this fall. Do I submit my high school transcripts?
Answer: Yes. You may use your high school transcript. Your transcript can be official or unofficial, but it must show final grades and a GPA calculation.
Question: Are international students eligible to apply?
Answer: The school or program must be in the United States. Any student enrolled in a license, certificate, or health care degree at an accredited college, university, trade or technical school in the United States at any time between August 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024 is eligible to apply. If selected as a winner, the payment will be made to the school.
Question: Do I have to be a UNAC/UHCP member to apply?
Answer: You do not have to be a UNAC/UHCP member to apply for the Alexis G. Philius scholarship, the Sonia Moseley family scholarship, and the Delima MacDonald community scholarship.
If you have any questions or need more information, please email
scholarship@unacuhcp.org. Please note that it may take 1-2 business days to respond to your questions. All messages must be received by May 3, 2024 to receive a response during the application period.
2023 Kathy J. Sackman Member Scholarship
- Jacqueline Yvette Finley, RN, Kaiser South Bay (KSBHPA), is attending Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science to earn a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on psychiatric mental health.
- Cynthia Gutierrez, RN, Kaiser Ontario Vineyard (KOVHCPA), will be attending West Coast University to obtain a Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate.
- Hannah Hudnall, speech-language pathologist, Kaiser United Therapists of Northern California (UTNC), is in the Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, where she will continue to focus on dysphagia-related intervention research.
- Christine Phan, RN, Kaiser Baldwin Park (KBPRNA), will be attending Purdue University Global, studying for her Master of Science in Nursing focused on Psychiatric Mental Health.
- Juan Vidamo, RN, Parkview (PRNA), is pursuing a degree in nursing education through West Coast University to become a nurse educator or clinical specialist.
2023 Sonia Moseley Family Scholarship Winners
- Jenaya Chambers—child of Janine Eiley, RN, Kaiser West Los Angeles (KWHPA)—plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science
- Ella Cho—child of Adriana Cho, PharmD, Kaiser United Pharmacists of Southern California (UPSC)—is earning a Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior before going on to medical school.
- Jeffrey Kenneth Doeve—child of Sonia Doeve, RN, Kaiser Riverside (KRRN-UHCP)—is studying for a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry before pursuing medical school.
- Harsha Shaji Mattappally—child of Harina Mattappally, NP, Kaiser Woodland Hills (KWHRNA)—is studying for a Doctor of Pharmacy.
- Ana Vivas Rosas—spouse of Oswalth Bello Dircio, RN, Parkview (PRNA)—is planning to become a Registered/Licensed Occupational Therapist.
2023 Delima MacDonald Community Scholarship
- Andrei Arciaga of Valencia, California, will be attending Mount Saint Mary's University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program.
- Youssef Ahmed El Mosalami, of Claremont, California, is a senior at Pomona College, double majoring in Gender and Women's and Middle Eastern Studies on the pre-med track to focus on community care and queer and trans BIPOC healing.
- Abigail Godinez of Long Beach, California, is in graduate school at the University of Southern California studying Occupational Therapy.
- Tatyana Newbegin of San Diego is attending San Diego City College for an Associate Degree in Nursing.
- Windy Gail Roden of Compton, California, at Compton Community College is pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing.
2023 Alexis G. Philius Scholarship Winners
- Martine Emily Belizor, of Windermere, Florida, will be attending the University of Southern California studying global health, eventually pursuing Neonatology studies in medical school.
- Gershom Talei Koinei, of Lynnwood, Washington, is attending Edmonds College for an Associate Degree in Pre-Nursing.
- Kayla Oriyomi, of Powder Springs, Georgia, is attending Morehouse School of Medicine, earning a Master of Science degree in the Physician Assistant Studies program.
- Paige Luke Torres, of Alhambra, California, will be attending California State University-Long Beach to study for her Bachelor of Science in Pre-Nursing.
- Evelyn Ukata, of Bellflower, California, is attending Los Angeles Southwest College to study Nursing and Biology.
.png)
.png)