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Nicholas Lumi '08, DeSales Physician Assistant Student, Commissioned in the Navy
Nicholas Lumi, DeSales University senior majoring in Physician Assistant studies, was commissioned as an Ensign in the United State Navy during a ceremony held on campus in September. The commission is given as part of the Health Professionals Scholarship Program (HPSP) for Physician Assistants awarded by the U.S. Navy. Lumi is the first DeSales Physician Assistant student to receive this honor.
The scholarship awarded to Lumi covers expenses up to $200,000 for graduate studies in a Physician Assistant program. In Lumi's case, it will cover expenses for his senior year and fifth year in the DeSales Physician Assistant Program, including tuition, fees, books, medical instruments, and a monthly housing stipend.
Lumi will earn a bachelor's degree in medical studies in May 2008, and a master's degree in Physician Assistant (PA) studies in August 2009. After graduating from DeSales, he will enter into Officer Indoctrination School (OIS) in Newport Rhode Island for five weeks.
Upon completion of OIS, Lumi will be commissioned a Lieutenant Junior Grade and will serve as a medical officer in the Navy Medical Corps and as a Physician Assistant in the Medical Corps. He will be eligible for assignments on an aircraft carrier, a base, or abroad in a battalion aid station helping U.S. Marines fighting in Iraq.
Lumi will be committed to the Navy for three years of active duty upon graduation from officer school and following that, five years of Individual Ready Reserve. Eventually, Lumi would like to teach in the PA department at the Naval Academy and also work as a team PA with the sports teams.
"I believe my experience as an officer in the Navy will be invaluable," said Lumi. "It will provide me with the opportunity to acquire the necessary management and leadership skills that will prove worthwhile in the civilian world later on."
Lumi heard about the HPSP during the Spring 2007 semester and decided to research the scholarship further. He reviewed the necessary information and talked with active, reserve and retired members of the Navy and other Armed Forces. He also spoke with DeSales faculty members Fr. Doug Burns, who was a Naval officer, and Dr. Wayne Stuart, who received the HPSP for medical school and served in the Army for 11 years. Subsequently, he decided to pursue the scholarship.
"I had to fill out all sorts of papers for the Navy, get a security clearance, and pass a physical. I also had to write an application for commission essay and needed several references, including ones from professors," said Lumi. "It seemed like a long waiting game, then in September, my recruiter contacted me with the good news that I received the scholarship."
Lumi believes his extracurricular activities at DeSales gave him an advantage in the final decision to award the scholarship. While at DeSales, he has been a member of the PACE (Peers, Advising, Counseling, Educating) team, served as a volunteer with Social Outreach in Mexico last spring, and plays ice hockey and serves as alternate captain.
Although the scholarship was instrumental in Lumi choosing the Navy, it also was a branch of the service that had special significance.
"I always have enjoyed water sports and being around boats," said Lumi. "More importantly, my grandfather, Thomas Ralph McCloud Sr., served in the Navy as an Aviation Ordinanceman 3rd Class during World War II. I feel proud that I can honor him through my service."
Lumi is the son of Louis and Kathleen Lumi of Phoenixville, Pa., and a graduate of Phoenixville Area High School.
Press Release: Nicholas Lumi '08, DeSales Physician Assistant Student, Commissioned in the Navy | Posted on: 11/6/2007
For more info:
Tom McNamara, Executive Director of Communications
DeSales University | 2255 Station Avenue | Center Valley, PA 18034
610.282.1100 x1219 | Tom.McNamara@desales.edu |
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