University of Tampa PA Students Join the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) 

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program plays a vital role in addressing the healthcare needs of underserved communities across the United States. By providing financial assistance to aspiring health professionals, including PA students, the NHSC promotes a workforce dedicated to service in areas where providers are scarce. In exchange for a 2-4 year service commitment to work in a health professional shortage area (HPSA), students can reduce the cost of PA education and begin a career rooted in compassion, equity, and dedication to health for all.  

Vanessa M. Tomoah and Desire Namata from the University of Tampa PA program’s class of 2025 have answered the call to serve in the NHSC. Here they share what inspired them to join. 

Vanessa M. Tomoah 

Throughout my life, I’ve come to value having a healthcare provider who is knowledgeable about conditions and treatments and dedicated to educating patients and their families about their care plans. That, along with my Jamaican and Ghanaian heritage, plays a significant role in my motivation, as access to care in these regions has not always been seamless. Over time, I became inspired to be a provider who advocates for change within the health care system and contributes to access to care. My driving force is to be a resource for those in need in various specialties, which led me to pursue the PA profession. 

I’ve always been passionate about bridging the gap between healthcare and health equity, which motivated me to apply for the NHSC scholarship. The NHSC scholarship allows me to do just that and so much more. The financial support from this scholarship relieves the burden of educational expenses, allowing me to focus entirely on my training and future service. By accepting this scholarship, I’ve committed to supporting underserved communities across our nation, those same communities that have shaped me culturally and require my help. I couldn’t be more grateful. 

Desire Namata 

My motivation to become a PA is driven by a profound passion for joining a collaborative health care team prioritizing patient-centered care. I believe that the best healthcare outcomes emerge from diverse professionals’ synergy, each offering unique skills and perspectives. As a PA, I will have the opportunity to build trust and foster understanding, combining my medical knowledge with a compassionate approach to ensure that my patients receive personalized care tailored to their needs. This position will also allow me to work alongside dedicated colleagues united in our shared mission to positively impact the lives of those we serve. 

I applied for the National Health Service Corps scholarship because its mission aligns with my lifelong commitment, shaped by my firsthand experiences with inadequate healthcare in my home country of Uganda. Growing up in a community with limited access to healthcare, I developed a strong sense of responsibility to bridge that gap and make a meaningful impact in healthcare. The NHSC scholarship allows me to gain the education and training needed to serve underserved communities, becoming a source of healing and support. It is my way of giving back and honoring the communities that shaped me, ensuring that others receive the care they deserve. 

Continuing the Legacy of NHSC 

Without programs like the NHSC, dedicated PA students like Vanessa Tomoah and Desire Namata may be unable to fulfill their goal of caring for the nation’s most vulnerable populations due to financial limitations. Losing PA students like these comes at a cost not just to the profession but to the nation’s healthcare system as a whole.  

Fortunately, the NHSC has been able to significantly increase the number of students accepted to the program in recent years due to funding increases. However, mandatory funding for the NHSC is set to expire on December 31 in the absence of congressional action. 

That is why PAEA is asking for your help to ensure that Congress does not return to the practice of rejecting a vast majority of students and graduates seeking to participate in the NHSC. Please contact your representatives today to urge them to preserve the current NHSC pipeline and field strength through a strong mandatory funding level. 

Congratulations to Vanessa Tomoah, Desire Namata, and all the PA students who received awards from the NHSC this year! PAEA looks forward to celebrating more PA student awardees in the years to come. Members and students with questions about the NHSC are invited to contact Tyler Smith at tsmith@PAEAonline.org.