FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Christine Mulvin
513-458-6621

Cincinnati— October 7, 2005— Sasi Chockalingam has been awarded the 2005-2006 Eddie Lee Ralls Sellers Internship by The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati. Chockalingam is a graduate student at the University of Cincinnat

Named to honor one of the first three African American nursing graduates from UC, the 12-month internship includes salary and tuition expenses. Sellers, who also earned a Master's in Community Planning from UC, served the community in a variety of roles and worked to establish community healthcare centers throughout Cincinnati . She was committed to providing access to healthcare for the underserved.

Chockalingam, a native of India , earned an MD in General Medicine from the St. Petersburg State Medical Academy in Russia .  She is currently earning a master’s degree in Health Promotion and Education from the College of Education , Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH) at the University of Cincinnati . 

"The Eddie Lee Ralls Sellers Internship was developed to provide financial support and professional experience to graduate students who exhibit Ms. Sellers’ dedication to providing access to healthcare to the underserved in this community,” said Don Hoffman , president and CEO of the Health Foundation. “Sasi’s interest in the criminal justice system and its role in healthcare naturally aligns with the internship and the mission of the Health Foundation.”

For Chocklingam, the internship will provide not only educational lessons, but life lessons as well.

“This internship will provide me with a background on how to improve healthcare and an opportunity to learn how non-profits work in America ,” said Chockalingam.

She is a recipient of the 2003 University Graduate Scholarship from UC and is a certified health education specialist (CHES).   Chockalingam’s thesis explores “Tobacco Use among Female College Students and their Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs towards Smoking Cessation during Pregnancy”. 

Chockalingam is also a volunteer at Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.

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The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati is an independent foundation dedicated to improving community health and access to health care for vulnerable populations. The Foundation awards grants to non-profit and governmental organizations for selected health programs and activities in Cincinnati and 20 surrounding counties in Ohio , Kentucky and Indiana . In 2004, the Health Foundation invested $10.5 million to support local health care programs that address the objectives of the Foundation's four focus areas and general community health.