April 11, 2024 – Alexandria, VA

Three dedicated National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) Youth Ambassadors have been selected to receive scholarships to support their post-secondary education. Each scholar will receive $1,000 as a result of an application and evaluation process that included an essay and a review of their participation in the NPF Youth Ambassador program.

The NPF Youth Ambassadors program was launched in 2016. It fosters opportunities for youth to engage with others who have psoriatic disease and serve as leaders in the community. NPF Youth Ambassadors act as role models to help peers manage and take control of their disease and inspire others with psoriatic disease to lead confident and fulfilling lives.

The 2024 Youth Ambassador Scholarship Recipients

• Zoe Roman is a junior at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. She is from Boca Raton, Florida. Zoe is an international relations major with a focus on regional politics and cultural anthropology. After graduation, she plans to participate in international patient advocacy to give patients like her a voice. Eventually, her goal is to work for the United Nations in issues of health and health care.
• Lena Oslund is a junior at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. She is from Lansing, Michigan. Lena is majoring in molecular genetics and genomics. She anticipates a gap year after graduation when she will focus on clinical hours as she applies to physician’s assistant programs.
• Emme Rooney is a sophomore at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. She is from Sellersburg, Indiana. Emme currently plays on the women's basketball team at DePauw University, where she majors in global health on the pre-law pathway. 

“The Youth Ambassador program empowers youth living with psoriatic disease by joining them with peers, offering guidance and education around community engagement, and providing leadership opportunities,” said Audrey Riggs, NPF Volunteer Services Manager, who manages the program. “These three youths embody the ideals of the program. NPF is proud to support them in their next steps.”

“Psoriasis and NPF have had a major impact on my decision to go into medicine,” says Lena Oslund. “When I was younger and first diagnosed, I didn't feel very supported by my medical providers since we got a lot of ‘I don't really know’ from them, but NPF was there with answers. I want to go into medicine to bridge that gap and support young patients the way that I wanted to be.” 

The National Psoriasis Foundation congratulates these three worthy scholarship recipients on their selection as the 2024 awardees.

Learn more about the NPF Youth Ambassador program.

About the National Psoriasis Foundation

Serving the community of people impacted by psoriatic disease for more than 55 years with patient support, advocacy, research, and education, the National Psoriasis Foundation is the leading nonprofit representing individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The mission of NPF is to drive efforts to cure psoriatic disease and improve the lives of more than 8 million individuals in the United States affected by this chronic immune-mediated disease. Learn more at psoriasis.org.