Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation

For good. For ever.

306 South University Avenue Mount Pleasant, MI, 48858 United States

(989) 773-7322

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Isabella County, now and for generations to come, by attracting and holding permanent endowed funds from a wide range of donors, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

Dr. Jessica Block, M.D. Dream Memorial Scholarship Fund

 The Dr. Jessica Block, M.D. Dream Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2024 by her parents, David and Sherri Block. It supports students from Beal City High School, Central Michigan University and Mid Michigan College, with preference given to those with financial need who intend to pursue careers that serve others. Such paths would include, for example, careers in the medical, dental, social work, education and nonprofit fields.

Jessica was one of five 2004 valedictorians at Beal City, where she played basketball and softball and was active in the National Honor Society and Drama Club.

Jessica earned English and biology degrees in 2009 from the University of Michigan, where she participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, Women in Science and Engineering, and Alternative Spring Break. She was a resident advisor and residence hall coordinator.

Her commitment to serving others led to Pittsburgh, where she joined AmeriCorps and provided street medicine in alleys and under bridges to the city’s homeless population. Jessica then graduated from Philadelphia’s Drexel University College of Medicine in 2018 and went on to complete an orthopaedic surgery residency in Buffalo, NY. She had been offered a prestigious arthroplasty fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, MO.

Jessica was recognized for her dedication to orthopaedic education with The Theodore Papademetriou, M.D. Award and received The Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society's Courage Award via Zoom in her hospital room, in November 2023. This award has been renamed in her honor.

Jessica is deeply missed by all who knew her and her positive, infectious attitude toward life. “Living the dream” was a “Jessism” shared among her colleagues. It originated during her second year of residency, after a busy overnight shift in the emergency room. One of the attendings jokingly asked Jessica how it was going, and she replied, “Living the dream.” It became her standard response when anyone asked how she was doing, and the word “dream” came to represent Jessica among family, friends and co-workers.

Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:

  • Student shall be a graduating senior from Beal City High School or a current Central Michigan University or Mid Michigan College student; and

  • Student shall be planning to enroll at an accredited college, university, or trade school.

Scholarship Preferences:

In selecting the most qualified applicant to receive the scholarship, reviewers will give preference to the following, listed in priority order:

  1. Student shall demonstrate financial need;

  2. Student plans to go into a career of service to others. Examples, not limited to, medical, dental, social work, teaching, childcare, nonprofit, etc.