Ortho Dermatologics, a division of Bausch Health Companies Inc., has named the 2018 honorees of the Aspire Higher program, which since 2013 has granted more than $450,000 in scholarships to students who have been affected by dermatologic conditions. This year nine students will receive scholarships of $10,000 each to pursue graduate or undergraduate degrees at an accredited, nonprofit, two- or four-year college, university, or advanced (post-high school) vocational or technical school.

"At Ortho Dermatologics, we understand that there is more to skin conditions than what meets the eye, and managing them often comes with challenges. We're proud to continue the Aspire Higher program to help students who have faced such challenges reach their educational goals, while also recognizing the positive impact dermatologists have had on their lives," says Bill Humphries, president, Ortho Dermatologics.

The 2018 honorees were selected from nearly 1,200 applications, based in part on essays sharing their experience of living with a dermatologic condition, as well as the role that a dermatologist, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner has played in helping treat it. The applications were judged by an independent panel of dermatologists from across the country.

"In the six years that I have served on the judging panel for the Aspire Higher program, I continue to be inspired by these students' dedication to education and passion to excel in their future careers," adds Jonathan S. Weiss, MD, dermatologist at Gwinnett Dermatology, Snellville, GA. "This is one of the most outstanding initiatives taking place in the dermatology community, and I am proud to join Ortho Dermatologics to help these outstanding students achieve their educational dreams and continue aspiring higher."

The Aspire Higher program recognizes students at varying stages of their educational careers through scholarships in three categories, including the Undergraduate Scholar Awards for those pursuing undergraduate degrees, the Graduate Scholar Awards for those pursuing graduate degrees, and the Today's Woman Scholar Awards for mothers pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees.

The 2018 Aspire Higher recipients include:

• Undergraduate Scholar Award
  • Jayla Chanel Davis, Alabaster, AL – University of South Alabama
  • Daisy Pena, San Jose, CA – California State University Long Beach
  • Mary Margaret Jordan, Melissa, TX – Baylor University
• Graduate Scholar Award
  • Zoe Smith, Ferndale, MI – Wayne State School of Medicine
  • Niki Vora, Buena Park, CA – UC Berkeley - UCSF Joint Medical Program
  • Caitlin Parker, Taylorsville, UT – Roseman University of Health Sciences - College of Dental Medicine
• Today's Woman Scholar Award
  • Laura Lukens, Evanston, IL – Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management
  • Elizabeth Hendrix, Holladay, UT – University of Utah
  • Jennifer Hurley, Hammonton, NJ – Fairleigh Dickinson University

"With the generous help of Ortho Dermatologics and the Aspire Higher scholarship program, I'm thrilled to continue my education at California State University Long Beach," said Daisy Pena. "It is wonderful that this program exists to help those who have struggled with their skin accomplish their academic goals – and I look forward to taking full advantage of this incredible opportunity while also raising awareness of skin conditions like alopecia."

To learn more about the Aspire Higher scholarship, visit www.AspireHigherScholarships.com. The 2019 Aspire Higher scholarship program will begin accepting applications in early 2019.