Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we were able to establish the Paula Memorial Scholarship and have already awarded it to Martha’s Vineyard students pursuing helping professions. Because we had remaining funds from our previous campaign, we were able to continue the scholarship last year without additional fundraising. As we prepare to award the third annual scholarship, we are once again asking for support so that Paula’s legacy of compassion, advocacy, and community care can continue for years to come.

In September 2020, Paula moved to Martha’s Vineyard, where she served first as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and later as Behavioral Health Manager at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. From the moment she arrived, Paula brought extraordinary compassion, energy, and dedication to the island community.

In both acute care and rehabilitation settings, Paula was known for stepping in wherever she was needed. Even when staffing was short, she went above and beyond her role to support patients and colleagues alike.

Paula had a rare gift for making people feel instantly at ease. Patients felt heard and supported, coworkers felt encouraged, and friends knew her for her colorful stories, infectious laugh, and the occasional shared bourbon.

She worked tirelessly to help her behavioral health patients recognize their strengths and potential, expanding access to behavioral health support on the island at a time when those services were greatly needed.

Paula was also deeply committed to supporting members of the refugee and immigrant communities. She spent time helping individuals navigate services and feel welcomed and supported in their new home. In that spirit, this scholarship will also be open to ESL students who are pursuing education in a helping profession such as social work.

Although Paula’s life was cut far too short, the impact she had on those around her continues to be felt. Her network of friends was endless, and everyone who crossed paths with her was better for it.

Through this scholarship, we hope to continue to honor Paula’s legacy by supporting a Martha’s Vineyard student who plans to pursue a career in social work—continuing the kind of compassionate care, advocacy, and community support that Paula devoted her life to.

We will forever miss her humor, her boundless energy, her radiant personality, and her generosity. She loved the ocean, long beach walks, and—most of all—her family and friends from near and far.

All donations will go directly toward this student scholarship so that Paula’s legacy can continue to support the future of behavioral health care and community support on Martha’s Vineyard.

We are deeply grateful for your support in helping make this possible.