Three UNMC students — Kylie Woods, Amy Bodensteiner and Tyler Sexson — have been selected as recipients of the 2002-2003 Alice Friedlander Scholarships. 
The Scholarships are funded by the NHS-University Hospital Auxiliary to honor Alice Friedlander who directed the volunteers at UNMC from 1972 to 1990.
Kylie Woods
Kylie Woods has completed her second semester in the Clinical Perfusion Program. At the end of the first semester she ranked in the top 10 percent of her class. She completed her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she received numerous scholarships and academic honors including the National Honor Society, UNL Superior Scholar, Jane S. Welch Scholarship. Woods participated in many extracurricular and volunteer activities such as a Bryan LGH waiting room hostess, a Teammates mentor. She worked with the American Red Cross as a phlebotomist and a disaster log secretary and participated in numerous services for the deaf community. Currently she serves on the Associate Dean’s Student Advisory Council for the School of Allied Health Professions.
Outside of the health care system, she enjoys raising her dog, Buckley. It has been challenging and rewarding, she said, and has taught her patience and the value of a good friend.
“Kylie is a pleasant individual who excels in all class activities…and has shown an ability to grasp concepts at a rate ahead of most entry level students,” said the director of the Clinical Perfusion program. “She will make an outstanding clinician and contribute to the field through her motivation and dedication.”
Amy Bodensteiner
Amy Bodensteiner, a junior in the Physician Assistant Program, completed her undergraduate work from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. While there, she earned many undergraduate academic awards including the Presidential Scholarship, Msgr. Schulte Scholarship for Excellence in Science, and Academic All-Conference in both Golf and Basketball. Bodensteiner also was involved with many volunteer activities such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Americorps VISTA volunteer and sports camp coach. She served as president of the Loras Health Science Club, which exposed interested students to health careers and volunteered in an Oregon Chapter of Kiwani’s where she worked to raise money for the state children’s hospital and youth scholarships.
Currently she is involved in UNMC’s Physician Assistant Loran Schmit Society and the Campus Fellowship for Christ Group. She has enjoyed participating in high school and college athletics, particularly basketball. Sports teaches life skills and strengthens your character, she says. Participation in team sports taught her persistence, the power of a positive attitude and the value of working with others toward a common goal, she said.
“She continues to demonstrate strong academic performances in all of the programs subjects,” the scholarship coordinator of the PA Program said. “She is a unique and strong individual who is an excellent student and well deserving of the Alice Friedlander Scholarship.”
Tyler Sexson
Tyler Sexson is a student in the Physical Therapy Program. He completed his pre-professional physical therapy curriculum at Chadron State College through the Rural Health Opportunities Program. He has maintained a high GPA since continuing his academic career at UNMC. Sexson has had many academic scholarships such as the Sutherland New Hope Scholarship, UN Regents Scholarship and Chadron State College Board of Trustees Full Tuition Scholarship. At UNMC, he serves as president of the Students of the University of Nebraska American Physical Therapy Association. He also is a member of both the American and Nebraska Physical Therapy Associations.
Sexson’s greatest satisfaction outside the health care system has come from riding, training and showing horses. He was an active member of the 4-H horse program in North Platte for 10 years. He enjoys sharing his enthusiasm of riding and showing horses with younger riders and watching them achieve their goals.
Said Assistant Professor Gilbert Willett in the PT Program: “He has always been well respected by his peers. He has conducted himself in a very professional and respectful manner when interacting with program faculty and staff. Tyler has repeatedly demonstrated the qualities needed to become an excellent physical therapist who will become an asset to the profession.”
Nursing and Allied Health program directors recommended students who met the Auxiliary’s criteria for consideration as scholarship nominees. The criteria included: 1) completion of at least one year of study by the start of the scholarship year; 2) maintaining full-time student status during the course of the scholarship year; 3) maintaining at least a 3.3 GPA; 4) having a history of involvement in volunteer activities or community service, 5) showing a need for financial aid.
Photo: Sara Crouse, front left, chair of the scholarship committee and Alice Friedlander, front right, join scholarship winners Amy Bodensteiner, center, Tyler Sexson and Kylie Woods.