Domnick Cunningham & Whalen Elder Abuse Prevention Scholarship

The attorneys of Palm Beach personal injury law firm Domnick Cunningham & Whalen have committed their law practice to protecting the rights of those harmed by the negligence and misconduct of others and working to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens are not mistreated.
One of the most devastating areas where we litigate is cases in which there has been abuse or neglect of patients in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  Florida has the nation’s highest proportion of residents 65 and older—20%. This population will only continue to grow, and it is imperative that senior citizens have access to care where they will be safe and treated with dignity.

Unfortunately, abuse and neglect of the elderly and infirmed is rampant and the laws in Florida have changed to protect nursing homes and insurance companies at the expense of patient’s rights.  In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, there is great debate about the state of elder care in Florida and the accountability of state agencies as well as nursing home providers. As the population continues to grow, solutions need to be presented to protect senior citizens.

As part of our dedication to achieving a more equitable system of caring for those who have suffered serious harm or who are significantly impacted by nursing home abuse and neglect, we are proud to announce the creation of the Domnick Cunningham & Whalen Elder Abuse Prevention Scholarship.
This annual award of $1,000 shall be given to a higher education student who demonstrates an interest in developing legislative solutions to problems of elder abuse and access to care. Identify a current problem facing seniors in nursing homes or assisted living facilities and propose legislation that can help address the issue and provide protections for the elderly.  

Scholarship Eligibility

• The Domnick Cunningham & Whalen Elder Abuse Prevention Scholarship will be available to all students presently pursuing studies at an accredited community college, junior college, undergraduate or graduate school situated within the United States. The award is also open to those who hold GEDs and high school graduates whose college programs are imminently set to commence.
• Of particular interest to the scholarship committee are candidates who are able to detail their personal concerns regarding elder abuse and who can propose innovative legislative solutions to the issues they have identified.
• All applicants must provide proof of good standing from their current educational institution. For the purposes of our scholarship award, this will consist of no less than a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Process for Applicants
In addition to a detailed cover page, scholarship candidates will need to submit:

1. An updated resume, valid contact information and a statement that indicates current student status and educational program level
2. An original essay of approximately 750 words outlining the student’s perspective on elder abuse and a proposal for legislative action aimed at improving the access to care for seniors.
3. Most recent academic transcript (unofficial versions acceptable); freshman-level applicants are permitted to send unofficial documents from the most recent institution attended together with any relevant material from current institution

Additional Details for Applicants
To receive full consideration for the Domnick Cunningham & Whalen Elder Abuse Prevention Scholarship, applicants are required to submit all of the above documentation via email to info@dcwlaw.com on or before this year’s deadline of December 31, 2018.
Email messages containing the requested information should have a subject line reading as follows: APPLICANT’S NAME – DOMNICK CUNNINGHAM & WHALEN SCHOLARSHIP. The applicant’s resume, cover sheet, essay, and transcripts should be attached to the message as separate documents.

The firm thanks you for your enthusiasm and interest in the Domnick Cunningham & Whalen Elder Abuse Prevention Scholarship. We greatly look forward to learning more about the next generation of leaders and helping them advance the cause of elder abuse prevention for the most vulnerable among us.