Six Awarded CVS Eric Delson Scholarship

WASHINGTON – One medical student. One doctoral researcher in optics and quantum materials. Three students currently enrolled in the sciences, including one wanting to become a physician assistant. Another studying kinesiology and a third studying sociology and public health. Add in one high school student wanting to pursue engineering and you have an impressive and well deserving scholars awarded the 2026 CVS Eric Delson Scholarship from the Hemophilia Federation of America.

This year’s recipients are:

• Luke Luckey of Central Michigan University. A second-year medical student whose career goal is to become an adult hematologist. “My goal is to practice adult hematology in the same HTC that provided hemophilia care when I was a child!” Luckey said on his application

• Alecia Gulledge of Norfolk State University. Currently doing doctoral research in ultrafast magneto-optics and quantum materials. She says due to Eric Delson’s story of overcoming his limitations due to his (at the time) living with hemophilia “challenges do not have to define what we can achieve.”

• Christopher Ambrosio of King’s College. Currently working toward becoming a Physician Assistant. When asked why he wants to become a PA, he said his goal is to “address the gaps in hemophilia care and improve access to support for all families living with bleeding disorders.”

• James Hensley of Virginia Tech. A dual sociology and public health major, Hensley said he discovered a passion for public health after taking his first epidemiology course. He says receiving the Delson scholarship is especially meaningful. “Living with a bleeding disorder has helped shape both who I am and how I view public health. I am deeply grateful for this investment in my education.”

• Emily Alvarez Huerta of Fresno Pacific University. A Kinesiology major, Alvarez Huerta, a former collegiate soccer player, has her eye on the ball. “My goal is to become the first person in my family to earn my doctorate and become a physical therapist.” She says her diagnosis of von Willebrand disease while in high school “Fueled my motivation to study kinesiology, where I hope to help others overcome their own physical and mobility limitations.”

• Ivan Rivera Diaz of the Cupeyville School. Rivera Diaz, currently at the college preparatory academy Cupeyville School in San Juan, Puerto Rico, intends to become an engineer after high school. “Understanding how things work and solving problems that affect the world around me has always interested me.” He says living with hemophilia has motivated him to move forward toward his goals.

These scholarships, ranging from $1,500 to $2,500, are given in memory of Eric Delson by CVS to members of the bleeding disorders community pursuing higher education.

Delson, who lived with hemophilia in a more challenging time, did not allow those challenges to deter him from any goals he set out to achieve. Although limitations were well-known to Delson, these same limitations were the fuel that drove him to enhance the lives of others living with hemophilia. Through his example of leadership, commitment, determination and compassion, his positive influence touched many who had the privilege of knowing him. It is with that memory and spirit that the Eric Delson Memorial Scholarship Program was founded.