(12-13-25) Mercer Health Medical Staff has awarded its 2025 Mercer Health Medical Staff Scholarship to Cassandra Poeppelman, a first-year medical student at the Boonshoft School of Medicine. Poeppelman, a graduate of Fort Recovery High School, is pursuing her Doctor of Medicine degree with an expected completion in May 2029.

Poeppelman was selected as the scholarship recipient for her strong academic record, extensive undergraduate research, and her deep commitment to serving the Mercer County community. Her work has explored respiratory control and developmental physiology, with presentations on topics ranging from chemosensitivity in tadpoles to the neurodevelopment of serotonergic chemoreceptors in bullfrogs, as well as systematic reviews on chronic hypercarbia and its relevance to breathing disorders such as SIDS.

In addition to her academic achievements, Poeppelman’s vision for medicine is rooted in strengthening community health and preparedness. She has expressed plans to develop safe sleep and wellness kits for new families, lead first aid training programs in rural areas, and establish support groups that provide both comfort items and spaces for healing. These initiatives reflect her dedication to bridging gaps in health literacy and empowering individuals to feel confident and supported in times of need.

Poeppelman wrote-

“I believe the best help I can give is personal and individualized. Meeting people exactly where they are gives them confidence and control in difficult times while creating a ripple effect: those who feel supported are more likely to give back and strengthen their community. This is the most fulfilling way I can imagine serving others, and it shapes the kind of physician I hope to be.”

The Mercer Health Medical Student Scholarship program was initiated in 2020 and awards $2,000 annually to a medical school student who has shown a strong connection to Mercer Health or the surrounding communities. The scholarship is awarded for a one-year period and provided directly to the student.

Dr. Jeff Otte, Chief of Staff at Mercer Health

“We are pleased to recognize a first-year medical student who is committed to returning to serve this community. It is encouraging to see local talent investing in the future of rural healthcare, and Mercer Health is proud to support her early clinical development.”

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must be U.S. residents currently enrolled as a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year medical student in an accredited MD/DO school located in the United States. Applicants must either be a resident of Mercer County or one of the adjacent counties for at least 12 months prior to registering as a medical student, or have participated in a rotation at Mercer Health. Applications for the 2026 scholarship will be accepted from September 1 to October 1, 2026. Applicants must apply online and submit a transcript of their medical school courses/grades and a letter, on school letterhead, from their medical school verifying full-time enrollment.

For more information about Mercer Health’s Medical Student Scholarship, visithttps://mercer-health.com/scholarship-program/ or contact Deb Hemmelgarn, MED Foundation Director, at dhemmelgarn@mercer-health.com or 419-678-5679.