PRINCETON – Martha Bello of Paterson, Lisa Modirian of Mendham and Catherine Suarez of Gibbstown yesterday were awarded $2,000 scholarships from the Health Research and Educational Trust of New Jersey (HRET), the educational affiliate of the New Jersey Hospital Association.

The scholarships were awarded at HRET’s annual golf outing and scholarship presentation. The Health Career Scholarship fund provides assistance to applicants who are enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate health career program, maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better and demonstrate financial need. To date, HRET has awarded more than $160,000 in scholarships.

The scholarship recipients are:

• Martha Bello, a Seton Hall University student pursuing a bachelor of science with a master of science in the nursing progressive degree program. Bello is the first in her family to attend college. She hopes to work as a critical care nurse in a New Jersey hospital.
• Lisa Modirian, who is returning to school to study nursing at Thomas Edison State College after earning a bachelor’s degree in administration. Modirian plans to pursue a master’s degree in nursing and then working in palliative care in New Jersey.
• Catherine Suarez, an optometry student at Stockton State College. Suarez earned an undergraduate degree at Rutgers University and works as a tri-lingual medical interpreter at Underwood-Memorial Hospital.

“We are honored to provide support and encouragement to these outstanding students,” said NJHA President and CEO Betsy Ryan. “Each plans to work in our state and will continue to care for our patients. All three are great examples of healthcare’s future.”