Scholarship & Financial Opportunities

Educate. Empower. Transform.

Research shows that higher education is improves health outcomes, especially for historically marginalized communities.

That’s why we created this initiative: to fuel leadership, amplify lived experiences, and support the next generation of advocates and CHANGEMAKERS!

These Scholars Are...

💡 Raising awareness in the sickle cell community

📚 Pursuing careers in health & advocacy

🌍 Uplifting voices that have long been overlooked

💖 Leading with purpose to transform systems

🎓 2025 Scholarship Recipients

Health Equity Leadership Scholarship

Awarded to students in college or graduate-level programs who are championing health equity through research, advocacy, or leadership.

Faith Adjei-Sarpong

Faith Adjei-Sarpong is a passionate public health advocate and recent Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate from the School of Public and Population Health at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). A first-generation Ghanaian-American and sickle cell warrior, Faith uses her lived experience to amplify the voices of those living with chronic illness and to promote equity in healthcare. She is an award-winning advocate, recognized as the Digital Sickle Cell Advocate of the Year by Sickle Cell 101, and is actively engaged in national efforts through partnerships with organizations such as Sick Cells and the AsOne Foundation. Faith is also a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, and a dedicated leader in her local community in Houston, Texas. Her work focuses on health policy, maternal and child health, and global health equity, driven by her mission to become a culturally competent physician and a future U.S. Surgeon General.

Nehemie Noel

Nehemie Noel is a nationally recognized voice in healthcare compliance, risk management, and patient advocacy. Her work is deeply rooted in both personal experience and professional expertise, making her a sought-after speaker and changemaker known for transforming personal adversity into national impact. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in nursing and health science with a concentration in Healthcare Administration and Policy, as well as a Master of Science in Patient Risk Management and Compliance from the prestigious Nova Southeastern University. In addition, she earned her certification as a Community Health Worker specializing in Sickle Cell Anemia from Harvard University. A visionary and strategist, Nehemie is on a mission to become the sought out Chief Compliance Officer for the State of Florida, and one day take her voice to Congress—where she plans to advocate for legislative protections for marginalized patient populations, particularly those affected by Sickle Cell Anemia, a disease she personally endures as a resilient and thriving warrior. She is the founder and president of Crisis 2 Crown International Inc., a nonprofit organization providing essential resources, educational tools, and holistic support to underserved children and families both in the U.S. and internationally. She is also the visionary behind C2C Advocacy Group & Sickle Cell academy- A Global, Patient Led and Research-driven initiative designed to equip warriors, educate leaders, and dismantle systematic bias, racism in emergency care for sickle cell anemia patients. Turning adversity into advocacy and purpose. This movement is faith-fueled, and built for the Healing Generation. Her unwavering commitment to clinical excellence and ethical healthcare practices is exemplified by her active membership in the Florida Society for Healthcare Risk Management and Patient Safety (FSHRMPS), an organization devoted to reducing medical errors and advancing patient safety. She is also a proud member of the Alpha Eta Society, recognized for her distinguished scholarly achievements, leadership, and service in the health professions. Embracing her calling as this generation’s Esther of Healthcare—a title inspired by the biblical heroine known for her courage, advocacy, and divine purpose—Nehemie’s journey from Crisis 2 Crown is a living testimony of strength, faith, and purpose-driven leadership.

Sarah Joergensen

Sarah Joergensen is a first-generation American, born to Jamaican and Danish parents. Living with Sickle Cell Disease type SD, her early experiences as a patient inspired a lifelong passion for medicine. While in college, she served as an EMT on the campus emergency response team. Her dual role as a patient and a provider offers a unique perspective on the healthcare system, particularly around equity, patient advocacy, and health literacy. To address this gap, Sarah co-founded a monthly speaker panel called Patient Perspectives, and invited patients and their caregivers to speak directly to future healthcare providers. Sarah is currently in graduate school to become a Physician Assistant and will graduate later this summer. She aspires to work in trauma surgery, where she hopes to care for patients with the same respect, compassion, and empathy that shaped her own journey.