The Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation, led by Chair and President Jeong Soo Choi, has successfully completed its 2026 summer internship and scholarship programs. Fifteen students—11 graduate and undergraduate students and four high school students—participated in internships. The foundation also selected 11 scholarship recipients, distributing a combined $65,000 in internship support and scholarships.
During the June–August internship program, students were assigned to the foundation’s main medical center in North Wales, its Philadelphia branch and its senior wellness and cultural center, JWC. They gained practical experience in health care, public health and community services. Nursing interns Pari Ghodasari of Gwynedd Mercy University and Alexia Hagialas of Jefferson University participated with support from the Independence Blue Cross Foundation. Graduate intern Megan Heeb of Rutgers University–Camden received $5,000 from the attorney Dong Sung Seo fund.
The New America Initiative internship, supported by a fund established by former foundation board member Dr. Woo Young Lee, provided $3,000 each to Bashirah Armstrong of La Salle University, Sherlyn Caivinagua Gaona of George Washington University and Yusra Munshi of Pennsylvania State University. State Senator Art Haywood, the Rev. Esperanza Luis Cortés and Choi are involved in the program, which aims to develop emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds.
Undergraduate interns Abbie Cho of the University of Pittsburgh and Mina Cho of Lehigh University each received $3,000 from the Kwon Family Hope Fund. Prajna Johri of the University of Pittsburgh received $2,500 from the Henry Oh fund; Luke Lee of Temple University received $4,000 from the Helen Lee fund; and Koseli Thakali of the University of Pennsylvania received $3,000 from the Cheonghakryeong fund. High school interns Joshua Cho of North Penn High School, Daniel Kim of Abington High School, Arjun Lee of Germantown Academy and Sarah Shin of Wissahickon High School gained volunteer and workplace experience during summer vacation.
Eleven students were selected for scholarships. Geunmin Kim of Millersville University and Alice Lee of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine each received a $3,000 Jaisohn Challenge Scholarship. Six students received $1,500 scholarships: Nayoung Kim of the University of Miami, Professor Jeong Sik Lee Scholarship; Qynne Salley-Holland of Xavier University, Jae and Dae Foundation Scholarship; Suhyeon Abby Hong of Swarthmore College, Honam Friendship Scholarship; Judith Lee of the University of Rochester, Daniel Yoon Scholarship; Hannah Yum of the University of California, Berkeley, Dang Pharmacy Scholarship; and Joy Lee of Northwestern University, Best Ride Service Scholarship. Ioan Newberry of the University of Maryland, David Lafferty of Temple University and Justin Pak of the University of Florida each received a $1,000 Jaisohn Youth Drum Team Scholarship.
Choi said educating, inspiring and providing scholarships to young people is deeply meaningful, emphasizing that more next-generation leaders must take active roles in their communities for the Asian community to advance. He noted that the foundation had provided $65,000 in internship and scholarship support this year and pledged to continue expanding its leadership development programs.
Established in 1975, the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation carries on Dr. Jaisohn’s commitment to independence, democracy and service through medical care, community health care, senior services and other programs. The foundation hopes its internships and scholarships will help young people develop into leaders in health care and public service.