Wisconsin Rapids Students Receive Minerva Ponce, MD Memorial Scholarship

Tuesday, May 24th, 2022 -- 11:01 AM

Ashley Abbott and Faith Cour of Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School and Allie Gessert of John Edwards High School have been awarded the Minerva Ponce, MD Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship fund was established with Aspirus Riverview Foundation in memory of Dr. Minerva “Mimi” Ponce by Mimi’s husband, Dr. Mario Ponce, and family.

Mimi was a vibrant physician who practiced internal medicine at the Doctor’s Clinic in Wisconsin Rapids for more than 25 years. She passed away unexpectedly in 2002 and will always be remembered for her compassionate service and generosity to our community.

To honor Mimi’s memory and the importance of healthcare professionals, a $1,000 scholarship has been awarded to each of the three recipients to help them pursue a medical education. Dr.  Ponce and family chose these students based on their promise and achievements toward becoming healthcare professionals.

"This year’s scholarship recipients shared that their aspirations stem from “overcoming personal health challenges, directing me on this career path and cementing the fact that I can make a difference in people’s lives; using my natural competitiveness and innovativeness, becoming an ambitious doctor who loves to help, is constantly researching and developing groundbreaking methods; and always enjoying the feeling I get when I am able to help others and the thought of working in a medical field that does so much to help others gives me such a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of belonging.”

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