Two Wayne State University Master of Occupational Therapy students - Clifford Lyons Jr. and Alyssa Ouellette - were honored with the Mary Free Bed Minority Scholarship for 2020-21 for their commitment to serving diverse populations.

Established in 1891, the non-profit Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, has grown into Michigan's most comprehensive rehabilitation provider and one of the largest in the nation.

In 2002, the Mary Free Bed Guild created the Minority Scholarship Program to promote diverse staffing to better meet the rehabilitation needs of its patients. Recipients must be full-time students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; have demonstrated leadership ability through community service, extracurricular or other volunteer activities; be permanent Michigan residents who fall into an undderrepresented group; and, in fitting with Mary Free Bed's mission, demonstrate a commitment to serving diverse populations.

Clifford Lyons Jr.

"Winning the Mary Free Bed Scholarship means the world to me. I am forever grateful for the financial gift I was provided by the Mary Free Bed Guild. Winning this award has inspired me to continue to push myself to be the best future occupational therapist I can be."

Alyssa Ouellette

"I could not be more honored to have been chosen as a recipient of the Mary Free Bed Minority Scholarship for the 2020-2021 academic year. Not only will this scholarship act as a great source of financial support as I near the end of my graduate level education, but a great source of pride for my Native American heritage as well. I come from a culture with strong roots in spirituality/creativity/occupations, much like the field of occupational therapy that I am pursuing. This scholarship will aid me on the path to reach all of my career goals for the future and to continue making my ancestors proud!"

Founded in 1944, the Wayne State Occupational Therapy program was one of the first established in the country. The deadline to apply for admission is Dec. 1.