MV Hospital Foundation establishes YSU scholarships honoring Guerra, Senchak, Vallas

The Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation has pledged $174,000 to establish three scholarships at Youngstown State University. “We want to thank the Foundation for its generosity in helping YSU students pursue studies in dental hygiene and business,” YSU President Jim Tressel said. Mike Senchak, a YSU alumni and co-founder of the Mahoning Valley Hospital, said, “YSU is a wonderful resource for our community and the entire region. This is a way for us to give back to an institution that has given all of us so much.” Mahoning Valley Hospital, a long-term, acute care facility, opened in 1999 with locations in Youngstown and Warren. The hospital was sold in 2008. Proceeds from the sale were used to form the Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation, whose primary philanthropy focuses on health and human services issues and education. Senchak is president and chief executive of the Foundation The scholarships are: Alice D. Guerra, R.D.H., M.S. – Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation Dental Hygiene Scholarship. The scholarship honors Alice D. Guerra, a professor emeritus in the Department of Health Professions at YSU. Guerra was the director of the Dental Hygiene Program for 10 academic years, a professor in the Department of Health Professions, and served as the associate dean, acting dean and interim dean over a period of 13 years in the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services. She also served on the Mahoning Valley Hospital Board and the Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation Board of Directors as secretary for multiple years. The scholarship is for students enrolled full-time or part-time in the Dental Hygiene Program. Michael S. Senchak – Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation School of Business MBA Scholarship. The scholarship honors Michael S. Senchak, president and chief executive of the Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation. Senchak is a three-time graduate of YSU, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1975, an associate of science Nursing degree in 1979 and a master’s degree in Business Administration in 1989. Senchak worked in various clinical and administrative positions at St. Elizabeth Hospital and in the Humility of Mary Health System for 22 years. Senchak and Dr. John Politis founded the Mahoning Valley Hospital in 1999, and Senchak served as president and chief executive from inception through 2008. The scholarship is for students enrolled part-time or full-time in the Williamson College of Business Administration MBA program. Michael Vallas – Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation School of Business BSBA Scholarship. The scholarship honors Michael Vallas, board director of the Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation. Vallas is a two-time graduate of YSU, earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1986 and a master’s degree in Business Administration in 1992. Vallas served on the Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation Board of Directors. The scholarship is for students enrolled full-time in the Williamson College of Business Administration working on a bachelor degree in Business. For more information on the scholarships, contact the YSU Foundation at 330-941-3211.