Meliia’s Disneyland dream gets a boost, Christen Montero enters Ward 2 race, $20,000 in scholarships awarded and a call for better late-night dining in Riverside.
The Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation awarded $20,000 in scholarships to 17 students pursuing healthcare careers during its inaugural scholarship reception Thursday at the UCR Alumni and Visitors Center.
The ceremony marked the first time the foundation hosted an in-person celebration for scholarship recipients since launching the program in 2017. More than 80 guests attended, including representatives from Riverside Medical Clinic, Riverside Community Hospital and the Riverside County Office of Education.
Two students received the inaugural Dr. Robert H. Joseph Memorial Scholarship, worth $2,500 each. Shivam Vachhani, a second-year UC Riverside student, and Nadia Lewis, an incoming UCLA freshman and Riverside Poly High School graduate, were selected for the honor named after one of Riverside Medical Clinic’s 19 founding physicians.
The memorial scholarship was funded by a donation from Dr. Joseph’s daughter, Janet Fell, and her husband, Richard. Dr. Joseph’s family, including daughters Janet and Libby, attended the ceremony.
All other scholarship recipients received $1,000 each, double the original $500 amount, thanks to additional funding from the Riverside Medical Clinic Foundation.
The foundation’s scholarship program recognizes students demonstrating academic excellence, leadership and commitment to serving others. Many recipients are first-generation college students who cited financial relief for their families as a primary benefit.
The Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enhancing health and quality of life in the Inland Empire through education, service and community engagement.
2025 Scholarship Recipients
Dr. Robert H. Joseph Memorial Scholarship ($2,500 each) • Shivam Vachhani – UC Riverside • Nadia Lewis – UCLA
College Pathway Awards ($1,000 each) • Ayleen Puente – Cal State Fullerton • Cailyn Tran – UC Riverside • Carson Paiva – Cal State San Bernardino • Danica Austin – California Baptist University • Ishika Patel – UC San Diego • Joanna Basbous – UC Santa Barbara • Jonathan Tafoya – UCLA • Julia Torres – California Baptist University • Kameron Velazco – California Baptist University • Madison Lucero – UC Irvine • Martha Moreno – UC Irvine • Nhi Nguyen – Norco College • Raquel Zeledon – UC Irvine
Career Pathway Awards ($1,000 each) • Allison Morden – UCLA • Sara Rose – High Desert Medical College
