Press Release

After being nominated by CalOptima, Jacqueline Ruddy, a member since 2009, won a national scholarship from the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP). Jacqueline’s compelling story about being a mother, full-time student and two-time breast cancer survivor helped her achieve this national honor and a $5,000 scholarship. She is pursuing a master’s degree in social work at USC.

To be eligible for the ACAP scholarship, Jacqueline first entered and won CalOptima’s local scholarship essay contest, which was sponsored for the second year in a row by the CalOptima Employee Activities Committee (EAC). The EAC scholarships are paid for entirely through employee-supported fundraisers.

CalOptima’s EAC scholarship contest was open to members of all ages pursuing degrees in health care or social services. Members were asked to share in their essays how they have bene-fited from CalOptima’s services, how their current studies will help them in the field of health care or social services, and why they are good candidates to receive the scholarships. Writers of the top three essays were awarded scholarships in the amount of $1,000, $750 and $500.

Jacqueline Ruddy, a mother and breast cancer survivor, finishing her final year at USC with a Master of Social Work
“I was raising my sons on my own when I went back to college. On my son’s second birthday, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a mastectomy and two weeks later was back in school full time. I learned I would have chemotherapy and scheduled it around my classes. Despite blood clots, infections, domestic violence and poverty, I stayed in school to change our future and to demonstrate to my sons the importance of education. During my second battle with breast cancer, I graduated from UC Irvine, becoming the first in my family to be awarded a bachelor’s degree. … I held onto my vision for my family’s future and the people I will someday be able to help.”

Nichole Flores, a single mother, enrolled in Cal State Fullerton School of Nursing
“My son is 9 years old and has been using CalOptima benefits since he was 4. CalOptima helps him get occupational therapy and provides him with an amazing and supportive pediatrician. He has been able to understand him-self and the world around him with his Applied Behavior Analysis therapy. Because of all this support, both of our lives have been enriched and we have so much time together as a family. I have been able to go to college, finish my college degree, work on becoming a registered nurse and now go back to Cal State Fullerton for my bachelor’s degree.”

Kathy Dang, a nursing school candidate, enrolled in Golden West College School of Nursing
“It will be both an honor and blessing to receive this award because with the intense hours that I have been devoting to school, I don’t get the advantage to work as often as I did before the program started. The nursing program is expected to be a rigorous two-year experience, which requires 110% of my attention and focus because I am a passion-driven person. This scholarship will enhance my educational and career plan. … The degree will open up many opportunities for me to give back and serve the community that once helped me.”