YORK, Maine — The Friends of York Hospital Scholarship Committee recently announced the 2025 recipients of its annual scholarship program.
Open to students from southern Maine and the Seacoast area who plan to pursue careers in health care, this long-standing tradition of support began in 1962. Over the past seven decades, the Friends of York Hospital organization has awarded more than $275,000 in scholarship funds.
This year, three students from the Class of 2025 have each been awarded $5,000 scholarships for the upcoming academic year.
A scholar, athlete, and community leader, Keira Alessi is widely respected at R.W. Traip Academy for her outstanding academic record and untiring commitment to service. With a GPA above 4.0, Alessi has demonstrated her passion for learning and ability to thrive in demanding environments. She will attend Clemson University in South Carolina this fall, where she will major in pre-professional health studies and prepare for a future in dental medicine.
Alessi gained invaluable early clinical experience during her orthodontic internship at Atlantic Orthodontic Center, where she assisted in procedures, lab work, and crafting retainers using techniques like 3D printing and molding – an exceptional accomplishment for a high school student. Impressed by Alessi’s “dedication, intelligence, and character,” Tanya Glidden DMD, MS added, “It is evident that she possesses a deep understanding of scientific principles, combined with empathy and an eagerness to learn.”
In addition to her academic pursuits, Alessi was a four-year varsity athlete and team captain in soccer, ice hockey, and lacrosse. She also served as vice president of student council, president of the Interact Club, a member of Maine’s Young People Caucus, and president of Future Business Leaders of America— a club she helped found as a freshman.
Her passions extend beyond school, as well. A nationally ranked competitive water skier, youth soccer referee, and project leader sewing enrichment blankets for dementia patients, Alessi has also volunteered with Kittery Land Trust and organized drives to create “warmth kits” to support those in need.
A school counselor describes Alessi as “academically gifted, emotionally intelligent, and exceptionally humble, with the rare ability to remain positive – and with a sense of calm that those around her can feel.”
Valedictorian of York High School’s Class of 2025, Chase Dolan exemplifies academic excellence paired with meaningful service. He will attend Northeastern University this fall to study biomedical engineering, on his path toward becoming an anesthesiologist—a field he’s already explored through volunteer work in the York Hospital Emergency Department.
Dolan earned the admiration of ED staff for his maturity, readiness, and professionalism. “He quickly assesses where he’s needed and gets right to work,” shared Rose LaRocca, lead ED volunteer. “Chase’s awareness and focus are beyond his years.”
Alongside his strong foundation in science—recognized through awards such as the Bausch and Lomb Science Award and designation as an AP Scholar with Distinction— Dolan has also pursued artistic excellence as an advanced classical pianist and guitarist. He led the school’s Math Team, edited the Agamenticus Sun newspaper, and served as co-president of the Civil Rights Team. He also participated in prestigious national programs including the National Student Leadership Conference for Medicine and Healthcare at Yale University and the Chip Moody Consider Engineering Program at the University of Maine.
One York High School counselor praised Dolan’s “remarkable blend of academic talent, artistic passion, and service-oriented mindset,” adding that he “approaches every opportunity with a competitive spirit while remaining humble and eager to learn from others.”
Dolan describes science as his “way of explaining the world.” He shares that although he is “not a physician yet,” his deep commitment to service and learning is clear as he continues, “my passion has led me to do meaningful work in the ER, folding gowns, running labs, etc. My responsibilities may be limited, but I’m open to help in any way I can.”
Driven by empathy and a determined desire to make a difference in the lives of others, Chloe Madsen, of Wells High School, will head west to Provo, Utah this fall to study in the nursing program at Brigham Young University. Graduating second in her class, with an impressive GPA of 99.9, Madsen hopes her academic adventures lead to a medical career with a focus on labor and delivery, postpartum, or pediatric care.
Madsen’s journey into health care is rooted in personal reflection and growth. “When I stopped reaching for perfection and focused on what made me feel ‘like me’—helping people and solving problems, using math and science—my career path became clear,” she shared. With a strong foundation in advanced placement science, math, literature, and foreign language coursework, Madsen has embraced well-rounded academic rigor while simultaneously completing over 1,000 hours of community service.
Her leadership and volunteerism span many areas: organizing church youth activities, translating for asylum-seeking families, assembling backpacks for children in need, clearing gravestones for accessibility, and offering complimentary emergency babysitting support to struggling families. She has worked as a Dunkin’ crew memberwhere she was known for her “amazing communication skills”, participated in marching band for six years (including three as Section Leader and one as Drum Major), and competed on the alpine ski team, where she also served as assistant coach in her senior year.
Madsen’s school guidance counselor praised her for “seeking out every possible academic challenge and thriving in each one,” noting that she will graduate having completed the equivalent of six college-level courses, “excited about the possibilities and confident in her ability.” Madsen’s combination of discipline, kindness, and intelligence will undoubtedly make her a compassionate and impactful nurse.
The Friends of York Hospital is a dedicated volunteer organization that has supported the hospital and its community since 1959. The scholarship program is made possible through the generous support of the Physician’s Committee and the York Hospital Apothecary, annual membership dues, community donations, and the highly anticipated Holiday Basket Raffle held each December.
The Friends gather three times annually for meetings that include a guest speaker, organizational business review, and light fare. New members are always welcome. If you’re interested in joining, please contact the organization co-chairs Linda Cannon at lindac7583@yahoo.com or Judith McAllister at jedmca@gmail.com.
To contribute to the scholarship fund and help future students who aspire to enter the health care field, please send your tax-deductible donation payable to: Friends of York Hospital; Attn: Judith McAllister; 15 Hospital Drive; York, ME 03909.
For more information about volunteering or student experiences at York Hospital, contact Kate Ford, director of volunteer and student services at kford@yorkhospital.comor (207) 351-2224.
For inquiries about York Hospital services, contact York Hospital Community Relations at (207) 351-2385 or info@yorkhospital.comor visit www.yorkhospital.com.
