Press Release

The Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) has named Marina Esquivel Cisneros, a student at Saddleback College, as the winner of its National Scholarship Contest.

ACAP established the scholarship in 2011 to provide crucial, timely financial assistance to an enrollee of an ACAP health plan seeking higher education to pursue a career in health care or social services. Submissions come from the nationwide network of ACAP Safety Net Health Plans, which collectively serve more than 23 million enrollees. The recipient is selected by an independent panel of outside judges. The award is $5,000 toward tuition and educational expenses at the awardee’s institution of higher education.

Marina is a member of CalOptima Health, an ACAP member health plan based in Orange, California. In her essay, Marina details her interest in pursuing a career in health care based on her dedication to serving the community and the caring example of nurses who served her grandmother. She is currently completing her prerequisites for nursing school at Saddleback, and she plans to transfer to pursue a nursing degree in fall 2023. Marina is also a Health Scholar at Mission Hospital and works shifts serving patients.

A highly motivated student, Marina says that many young people in her hometown drop out of school and are unable to matriculate to college. She not only wants to be a role model for other students in her community but aims to return after her training and practice nursing in San Juan Capistrano.

“Marina’s story exemplifies the passion that the ACAP scholarship celebrates,” said Michael Hunn, CalOptima Heath CEO. “Her enthusiasm for giving back to her community is an inspiration. CalOptima Health is proud of her successes thus far, and we look forward to her many future accomplishments.”

“We are thrilled to honor Marina today,” said ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray. “Her commitment to her community shines through in her words, and we are confident it will enable her to be a devoted provider in the future. The care Marina receives through CalOptima Health is precisely the kind that ACAP and Safety Net Health Plans champion.”

ACAP represents 74 health plans, which collectively provide health coverage to more than 20 million people. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insu rance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other publicly sponsored health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net

A county loworganized health system, CalOptima Health provides publicly funded health care coverage for income children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities in Orange County, California. CalOptima’s mission is to serve member health with excellence and di needs of each person. In total, CalOptima serves nearly 9 40 gnity, respecting the value and ,000 members with a network of more than 10, 7 00 primary care doctors and specialists as well as 4 information, visit caloptima.org