Leonard Achan Sr Health Equity Scholarship
Scholarship Overview
This scholarship is awarded to graduate students with diverse backgrounds exemplifying a commitment to the betterment of the healthcare ecosystem, so they can one day “paying it forward”. This scholarship promotes health equity and the need for raising and guiding future leaders committed to changing the healthcare equity landscape in New York.
This scholarship, named in memory of Leonard Achan Sr., was founded by a member and former HLNY Award of Distinction Recipient, Leonard Achan Jr, who funded the initial scholarship for 5 years and created an evergreen platform for healthcare leaders and companies to participate to bring awareness to health equity and the need for raising and guiding future leaders committed to changing the healthcare equity landscape in New York.
Most notably, scholarship award recipients will be assigned mentors for their last graduate year through the vast network of HLNY. Mentorship will be curated and introduced with a one hour minimum per month commitment for remote or in-person mentorship and advisement meetings with scholarship recipients for a one (1) year period upon graduation.
Candidates must be scheduled to graduate from any allied health administration degree program e.g. MPH, MPA, MHA, MBA (health concentration) or another accredited administrative degree program in any healthcare arena within the next 2 years, show dedicated Community Service work to underprivileged communities or patient populations in New York with a recommendation/letter of support attesting to this work, and an essay (max 600 words) outlining the candidate’s current or aspiring commitment to the betterment of the healthcare ecosystem.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Active ACHE Membership: Applicants must maintain active membership with the Healthcare Leaders of New York (HLNY) chapter, defined as participation in
at least two (2) HLNY events within the past 18 months.
Graduation Timeline: Applicants must be scheduled to graduate within the next two (2) years from an accredited allied health administration or related degree program (e.g., MPH, MPA, MHA, MBA – Health Concentration, or other healthcare administration programs).
Community Impact: Applicants must demonstrate meaningful community service or volunteer work that supports underprivileged or underserved populations within New York or the Tri-State area.
Essay Requirement (Maximum 600 Words): Applicants must submit an essay describing their current or aspiring commitment to improving the healthcare ecosystem and explaining what they hope to gain from the mentorship component of this scholarship.
Professional References: Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation — one from a leader within their current organization / university and one from an industry professional who can attest to their leadership, service, or professional potential.
Applicants may apply for only one scholarship per cycle. Individuals who have received any HLNY Foundation scholarship are not eligible to apply for another Foundation award until three (3) years have passed since their most recent award year.
Application Instructions
Please complete all sections of the application form on our website. Handwritten applications will not be accepted. Submit your completed application along with all required documents by Sept 12th 2025.
