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Scholarship Program Supports Children of San Diego County First Responders Wheelhouse Credit Union (Wheelhouse) has awarded six $1,000 “Badge of Honor” Scholarships to college-bound students to honor the heroic efforts of San Diego County’s first responders and their families. In the sixth year of the Badge of Honor program, scholarships were awarded to rising college […]
Scholarship Program Supports Children of San Diego County First Responders
Wheelhouse Credit Union (Wheelhouse) has awarded six $1,000 “Badge of Honor” Scholarships to college-bound students to honor the heroic efforts of San Diego County’s first responders and their families.
In the sixth year of the Badge of Honor program, scholarships were awarded to rising college freshmen with a parent/grandparent/legal guardian who is an active member of law enforcement, fire protection service, healthcare or EMT in San Diego County.
“We are deeply grateful to San Diego’s first responders, and we’re honored to recognize the next generation of their families through our Badge of Honor Scholarships,” said Wheelhouse President/CEO Lisa Paul-Hill. “Each of these students has demonstrated both academic achievement and a strong sense of purpose and character shaped by the example of their first responder family members. Their stories reflect the deep commitment and personal sacrifice first responders make every day to keep our communities safe. We’re proud to stand behind these remarkable students as they begin this exciting next chapter, and we thank their families for their service and dedication.”
The Wheelhouse 2025 Badge of Honor Scholarship recipients are:
| Recipient | School | City | College Attending | Family First Responder |
| Gabriela Alfaro | Mater Dei Catholic High School | Chula Vista | University of Alabama | Homeland Security Investigations, Special Agent |
| Ashlyn Castro | Granite Hills High School | El Cajon | Arizona State University | San Diego Police Department, Detective |
| Charlotte Crudale | Poway High School | Poway | Nazareth University | Department of Homeland Security, Asst. Chief Patrol Agent |
| Keala Custodio | Mission Hills High School | San Marcos | San Diego State University | Registered Nurse |
| Siena Ferreyra-MacPete | Academy of Our Lady of Peace | San Diego | Brown University | UCSD, Ophthalmologist- Vitreoretinal Surgeon |
| Charlotte Lourey | Valhalla High School | El Cajon | University of California, Los Angeles | SHARP Healthcare & SD Unified School District, Registered Nurse |
Beyond having a parent, grandparent or legal guardian as a first responder, all recipients recently graduated from San Diego County high schools with plans to attend an accredited college. Award criteria included academic achievement, letters of recommendation, an essay about the first responder in their family, and a desire to make an impact on their schools and communities.
The Badge of Honor scholarships are in addition to the Credit Union’s annual Sustainability College Scholarship Program, which was created in 2005 to support high school seniors in San Diego County. Since the creation of these programs, Wheelhouse has awarded $137,000 in scholarships to local students.
About Wheelhouse Credit UnionWheelhouse Credit Union (formerly San Diego Metropolitan Credit Union) is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1934 serving more than 32,000 community members in the greater San Diego area and beyond. The full-service financial institution is dedicated to excellence in personalized banking services which extends to solar and energy-efficient loans, the best checking account features in the industry, and expert guidance and support. The Credit Union is committed to creating a community where financial and environmental well-being go hand in hand. Please visit wheelhousecu.com for more information and follow Wheelhouse on Instagram® and Facebook®.
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The San Diego home remodeling company works on full homes, kitchens, bathrooms, home additions, ADUs, garages, landscapes, and hardscapes.
Most homeowners want two things before they commit to a remodel: a realistic sense of cost and a clear picture of what the finished space will look like. Milan Design + Build helps deliver both through its online remodeling estimator and personalized design consultations, supported by a showroom experience and 3D renderings.
“The online estimate gives homeowners a starting number in about a minute, and the showroom and 3D renderings let them see materials and layouts before anything is built,” says David Noriani, CEO of Milan Design + Build. “Keeping design, permits, and construction with one team helps us manage expectations and keep everyone working toward the same vision.”

Modern design is a particular focus for Milan, with an emphasis on clean lines, natural light, functional layouts, and carefully selected materials. The team adapts each design to the homeowner’s lifestyle and the character of the property. Milan Design + Build combines thoughtful design with construction expertise, creating spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.
The online estimator covers kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, full-home remodels, and ADU construction. At Milan’s showroom on Carroll Road, visitors can review real materials, finishes, and design options, meet the design-build team, and discuss project scope, budget, and timing. Consultations can also be held virtually for homeowners who prefer to start remotely.
At Milan Design + Build, one integrated team works on the entire project. Design and construction aren’t divided between separate firms. The process begins with a consultation and feasibility review, followed by design, space planning, and 3D renderings developed from detailed measurements and digital scans. The team also coordinates architectural plans, structural engineering, city approvals, and material selection, with construction overseen by a dedicated project manager.
Homeowners can explore their remodeling options, get an initial estimate, or request a design consultation at MilanBuild.com.

Clinical trials and physician-initiated studies bring new, innovative treatments to patients sooner
At any given time, there are roughly 200 research investigations and clinical trials being conducted at Scripps Health in as many as 25 medical specialties. Research and patient care go hand-in-hand at Scripps. Those studies can be categorized as clinical trials of a medication or device that are conducted by Scripps physicians and studies designed by Scripps’ physicians and clinicians. Click here to learn about three exciting studies underway at Scripps and the benefits to patients.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
New MyScripps mobile app features give patients more options to connect with their provider
Scripps has recently unveiled new features in the MyScripps patient portal and mobile app to help patients connect with their primary care team and simplify the payment process. Among the recent updates is the addition of primary care E-visits for minor conditions. Patients who have an established primary care physician can schedule an E-visit, complete an online questionnaire and, if needed, send a photo. Their doctor can then advise and prescribe medication, when appropriate. Autopay is also now available through MyScripps. Patients can enable or disable autopay, allowing them to more easily manage payments. Learn more about MyScripps and how it helps patients stay connected here.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
A cancer diagnosis forced a Carlsbad woman to prioritize her health. Now she’s using her story to inspire others.
Farrah Adams had a persistent dull ache in her lower back that her massage therapist suggested might be caused by the way she sat or drove. That explanation seemed reasonable, but when coupled with heavy, painful periods led the then 46-year-old to seek answers. When she looks back on it now, she’s beyond grateful she trusted her gut. She made an appointment with a Scripps OB-GYN, who determined she had Stage 3 cervical cancer that had spread to several lymph nodes. Farrah was overwhelmed, but immediately found a “champion” in Scripps Clinic gynecologic oncologist Jo Marie Tran Janco, MD. After undergoing successful treatment at Scripps Cancer Center, Farrah is now using her story to inspire other women to make time for care. Read more of her story here.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
Oral oncolytics provide certain patients with effective treatment without IV medication
In the last several years, there’s been a surge in FDA approvals for what’s known as oral oncolytics. Oral oncolytics are targeted cancer therapies that come in tablet, capsule or liquid form that patients can take at home, rather than in an infusion clinic. Scripps physicians have seen exponential growth using this approach, with patients citing convenience as a major quality-of-life enhancement in their cancer treatment. This approach also allows treatments to be customized based on specific genetic mutations and a patient’s unique disease biology. Find out more about oral oncolytics here.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
Unio Specialty Care is a multi-specialty practice specializing in urology, gastroenterology, and radiation oncology.
Unio’s Radiation Oncology team—Dr. Donald B. Fuller, Dr. Tahir Ijaz, Dr. Reza Shirazi, and Dr. Siavosh Vakilian—combines extensive clinical experience with a commitment to personalized cancer care. The RO team treats cancerous and non-cancerous conditions using precision therapies including SBRT, IGRT, and the CyberKnife® S7 System, the only system of its kind in Southern California. Their expertise spans prostate, breast, lung, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and central nervous system cancers, as well as low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis.
In 2026, Dr. Shirazi and Dr. Vakilian were recognized as San Diego Top Doctors, joining Dr. Fuller and Dr. Ijaz, who have previously received this distinction.
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5395 Ruffin Rd, Suite 103, San Diego, CA 92103 | 858-221-9135
@uniospecialtycare | uniospecialtycare.com