~Robert Eckhardt Memorial Scholarship Essay~ Working in medical billing has taught me that doing the right thing is not always a dramatic decision. Sometimes, it is simply choosing to slow down and make sure something is correct when it would be much easier to move on. In my role as a medical billing assistant, I work with information that can ultimately affect another person’s finances. There are days when there is a large amount of work to complete, and the easiest option would be to process what is in front of me, assume the information is correct, and move on to the next task. However, I have learned that when something does not look right, ignoring it does not make the problem disappear. It simply passes the problem to someone else. One of the most important lessons I have learned at work is to question discrepancies instead of overlooking them. When information does not match or something needs clarification, I take the extra time to review it and ask questions before proceeding. That can mean creating more work for myself or delaying the completion of a task. It would often be easier to tell myself that the information was given to me that way and therefore was not my responsibility to question it. But I do not believe responsibility works that way. This mindset has become even more important to me as I pursue my bachelor’s degree in finance. Finance involves numbers, but behind those numbers are real people. A small error on a spreadsheet, account, bill, or financial analysis may look insignificant to the person entering it, but it can have a very different impact on the person affected by it. I want to build a career where people can trust that I will treat their financial information with the same care I would want someone to use with my own. Balancing full-time responsibilities with college has also taught me that integrity matters most when taking the easier path would save you time or stress. There will always be pressure to finish faster, meet another deadline, or move on to the next responsibility. I have learned that being responsible means being willing to stop, ask questions, admit when you are uncertain, and correct something when necessary. My experience has changed how I define integrity. I used to think of integrity primarily as honesty. Now I see it as accountability as well. It means caring about the consequences of your work even when nobody is watching and even when doing so creates more work for you. As I continue my education and eventually move further into the financial field, that is the type of professional I want to become. Technical knowledge can make someone capable, but integrity is what makes someone trustworthy. I want both to define my career.

Being a first-generation college student means walking into rooms no one in your family has ever entered and choosing to stay, even when everything feels uncertain. It means carrying your family’s hopes in one hand and your own doubts in the other. For me, it means honoring the sacrifices that gave me the chance to be here at all. My name is Megan Tabatadze, and I’m the first in my family to attend college. I’m pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Finance at Champlain College Online while working full-time in medical billing. My mom came to the United States from the Republic of Georgia in 1998, during a time of war and instability. She left behind her entire family and everything familiar in hopes of giving me a safe life and a future filled with opportunity. She arrived with nothing, no support system, no language skills, just determination and courage. Growing up, I watched her struggle and rebuild from nothing. Even when money was tight or life felt uncertain, she never let me see defeat. She worked long hours, faced barriers she didn’t deserve, and still managed to smile. She taught me that survival itself can be an act of strength, and that perseverance is the quietest form of hope. When I started college, I didn’t have anyone at home who could explain FAFSA, credit hours, or how to balance studying with full-time work. I learned everything the long way through trial, patience, and persistence. Some nights I studied after midnight, and other times I wrote essays on subway rides. There were moments when I felt like quitting, especially when tuition and rent came due together. But I kept going, because I knew my education was not just mine, it was my mother’s victory, too. Being a first-generation student comes with invisible pressure. You’re not just working toward your dreams; you’re carrying the dreams of everyone who couldn’t. My education represents my mother’s bravery and her belief that life could be better, even when she had every reason to give up. My goal is to use my finance degree to help families like mine build financial security and access fair opportunities, whether through healthcare administration, financial counseling, or community-based programs. I want to help others navigate systems that often feel impossible to understand, just like I learned to. This scholarship would mean more than financial support; it would be recognition of the journey that brought me here. It would give me the freedom to focus on my studies and continue becoming the person my mom crossed an ocean for me to be. Being a first-generation student isn’t just about breaking barriers; it’s about transforming hardship into hope. My mother’s courage gave me this chance, and I intend to make it count, not just for myself, but for everyone who comes after me.

When most people think of insurance, they picture numbers and paperwork. But for me, insurance has always meant people their health, security, and peace of mind. My name is Megan Tabatadze, and I’m earning my Bachelor’s degree in Finance at Champlain College Online while working full-time in medical billing. My daily work focuses on insurance claims and risk management within the healthcare system, helping patients navigate Workers’ Compensation and No-Fault coverage so they can receive the care they need after an injury. I became passionate about the insurance field when I realized how much confusion and anxiety patients face after accidents or medical procedures. Many don’t understand their coverage or their rights. A single denied claim can delay critical treatment, leaving people feeling helpless. I began to see my role not just as administrative, but as a form of advocacy. I learned to read complex EOBs, follow up on delayed authorizations, and ensure that medical offices submit accurate documentation, reducing the risk of denials and financial loss for both patients and providers. The more I worked in this field, the more I understood how vital risk management is to the healthcare system. It ensures that providers remain compliant, that claims are handled ethically, and that patients can focus on recovery instead of red tape. I’ve developed a deep respect for the professionals who manage this delicate balance every day, people like CaroleLynn Proferes, who dedicated her life to this work with compassion and precision. I’m pursuing a degree in Finance to strengthen my technical and analytical foundation so I can eventually advance into a risk management role within medical billing or healthcare administration. My long-term goal is to help develop fairer, more efficient insurance processes, especially for injured workers and patients navigating complex claim systems. I want to contribute to a future where insurance feels like protection, not a barrier. This scholarship would allow me to continue my studies while staying focused on my professional goals. Balancing full-time work and college can be challenging, but I see it as part of the discipline this field demands. Risk management isn’t just about predicting problems; it’s about staying prepared, consistent, and empathetic even when systems are complicated or stressful. I believe that every claim tells a story, and every correct decision in this field can change someone’s life. That’s why I’m passionate about insurance and risk management, because behind every policy, there’s a person who needs support. Winning the CL Proferes Scholarship would not only help me continue my education, but it would also inspire me to carry on CaroleLynn’s legacy of professionalism, compassion, and service. Her work protected others; I hope to do the same, one claim, one patient, and one decision at a time.

Service isn’t always recognized ; sometimes it’s hidden behind paperwork, long phone calls, and quiet advocacy for people who may not have the energy to fight for themselves. My name is Megan Tabatadze, and I am pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Finance at Champlain College Online while working full-time in medical billing. Every day, I help injured patients navigate the confusing world of Workers’ Compensation and No-Fault insurance, ensuring they can access the medical care they need and deserve. When I first started this work, I expected it would just be administrative. Over time, I realized how personal and impactful it truly is. Many patients contact us in pain, frustrated by delays or denials. I make sure claims are submitted correctly, authorisations are followed up on, and that no one loses care due to paperwork errors. Sometimes this means staying late to contact a provider or patiently explaining complicated forms line by line. While such efforts may seem unremarkable, a simple “thank you” from a relieved patient reminds me how meaningful quiet service can be. I strive to bring this same spirit of service to my broader community. For instance, when my mother transitioned into a new apartment through Section 8 housing, I assisted her with forms, wrote letters, and coordinated with case managers. The process was challenging, but ensuring she secured stable housing made it worthwhile. Since then, I’ve helped neighbours and family members who struggle with similar paperwork, reinforcing that community service isn’t limited to organised volunteer events , it also means consistently showing up for people in need. Emma Jane Hastie’s life exemplifies the kind of impact I want to make. Like her, I hope to serve others not just through charity, but also through competence, patience, and care. Long-term, my goal is to combine my finance education and healthcare experience to help medical offices and community organisations operate more efficiently, allowing underserved individuals timely, fair access to treatment. True servitude isn’t about recognition; it’s about seeing the humanity in every task. Whether I’m filing a claim or assisting loved ones with housing forms, I approach each task with compassion and determination. Even the smallest actions a corrected form, an answered call, a clear explanation can lift a heavy burden from someone’s shoulders. Winning the Emma Jane Hastie Scholarship would affirm the value of my quiet, everyday service. With this support, I would pursue my studies with greater focus and continue finding ways to turn compassion into impactful service, just as Emma Jane Hastie did throughout her life.