ChairScholars Foundation - History
History
During his 29 year tenure as Chief of Spinal Surgery at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, Hugo A. Keim, M.D. witnessed the struggles of many disabled youngsters. Dr. Keim and his wife Alicia, having both overcome physical challenges of their own, wanted to help. They strongly believed that “no physical impairment should deter a motivated mind.” So, in 1992, they began by sending two students who were in wheelchairs to college. From this act of kindness, the ChairScholars Foundation emerged. To date, 702 scholarships have been awarded.
The Foundation began with the National Program. Scholarships are available to students from Maine to Hawaii – and everywhere in between - providing up to $20,000 for tuition at the college of their choice. To date, 220 scholarships have been awarded.
In 1995 the Keim’s moved to Tampa, Florida and realized the need for a Florida program. The Keim’s joined forces with “Take Stock in Children” to provide scholarships through the Florida Pre-Paid Tuition program.
The Florida Program is available to students attending public schools in the Florida counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Sarasota and Volusia. These scholarships provide either full tuition for a bachelor’s degree through the Florida university system or tuition assistance for vocational training. To date, 478 scholarships have been awarded.
The Keim’s strong ties to New York have resulted in the addition of the Foundation’s New York Metropolitan Area Program. This program is available to students attending public school in the five boroughs of New York City, part of Long Island, northern and central New Jersey. It provides up to $20,000 in tuition over four years to attend the college or university of their choice. The first four scholarships were awarded in May.