Abigail Stiles was awarded the 2021 Bruce C. Potter Memorial Scholarship at the Northern Area Health Education Center (NAHEC) Board of Directors meeting on July 22nd, 2021. She was surrounded by esteemed members of the Board, NAHEC staff members and her parents, Tammy and Joel Stiles. Abigail graduated Hugh C. Williams in Canton, NY achieving High Honor Roll for her entire High School career.  

Abigail’s interest in healthcare was sparked at a young age, she always knew she wanted to be a doctor. Her interest peaked into an achievable reality by attending two NAHEC MASH camps where she had the opportunity to volunteer virtually at Canton-Potsdam Hospital and Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center. Abigail also attended the Allied Health program at the Seaway Tech BOCES in Norwood which guided her interest in becoming a physician within the rural community.  Abigail has an influence of family members who work in the healthcare field as well.

Abigail will be attending Clarkson University in the fall, majoring in Biology in a pre-med tract. Her plan once graduating from Clarkson University is to attend Upstate Medical University College of Medicine. Upon completion of Medical School and Residency, Abigail intends to return to the North Country to practice medicine.

The Bruce C. Potter Memorial Scholarship was established in 2011 in memory long-time Canton-Potsdam Hospital Administrator and Northern Area Health Education Center, Inc. (NAHEC) Board Chair and founding member, Bruce C. Potter. The scholarship is a competitive annual award for high school seniors, college students, or non-traditional learners in good standing who have completed one or more NAHEC programs, and have been accepted and will be entering a healthcare training program within the next semester cycle. Applicants must be residents of Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, or Essex counties. Selection criteria include: academic achievement, community engagement, career plan, character, and personal statement. The Bruce C. Potter Memorial Scholarship recipient shall be provided a monetary award determined by the NAHEC Board of Directors based on funding availability.