New Scholarship Established to Honor the Legacy of Matthew Lynn Schrader at LLU School of Allied Health Professions

LOMA LINDA >> A new scholarship fund at Loma Linda University School of Allied Health Professions (SAHP) aims to help students in the physical therapy assistant (PTA) program offset the cost of their education while perpetuating the legacy of one of the school’s most enthusiastic graduates. After Matthew Lynn Schrader graduated from the program in 2001, he went to work in the Murrieta and Temecula area. According to his parents, Mike and Jeanne Schrader, Matthew loved helping patients recover their fullest potential. “Matthew had a passion for helping people,” Jeanne said. “He didn’t see his work as a PTA as a job—he really enjoyed the patients he worked with and took great joy in getting to know them personally. Working as a PTA was more than providing a service. For Matthew, it was an opportunity to spend quality time with his patients. “One patient told us about how nervous she was to receive physical therapy,” Jeanne said. “But he told her, ‘I am not here to hurt you, but to help you.’ Matthew also worked with a quadriplegic patient with whom he grew quite close. Because he was limited in what he could do for this patient physically, he would spend quality time watching football with him. Another patient is now going into the field of sports medicine because of the impact Matthew made in her life. She stated he was her greatest inspiration.” Mike recalled that Matthew was also a wonderful son, husband, and father. “As long and as hard as he worked, he always took the time to be with his family and stay connected,” Mike added. “Yes,” Jeanne agreed. “He was very passionate about his family and his work and always attributed his success to Loma Linda.” Matthew’s concern for the health of others went beyond the boundaries of his profession. “Our hearts were filled when we recently learned that Matthew’s bone marrow helped someone regain their quality of life,” Mike added. “We are amazed how he helped people while he was alive and how he continues to do so today.” Tragically, Matthew was killed in a motorcycle accident on January 21, 2014, ironically, while he was en route to the home of one of his patients. In addition to Mike and Jeanne, he left behind two adorable daughters, Avery, now 8, and Briley, now 6, as well as his wife, Sarah. After the family absorbed the initial waves of disbelief, shock, and grief, they began to think about ways they could memorialize Matthew’s legacy. Since Mike and Jeanne both work at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, Jeanne discussed the situation with a friend in the advancement department. He, in turn, suggested the family consider launching a scholarship fund at Loma Linda University in Matthew’s name to help other students afford the quality education Matthew enjoyed so much. “Have you considered doing something public to recognize Matt’s memory,” the friend asked. “My fundraiser brain got engaged overnight, and I had an idea . . . “ The rest is history. Mike and Jeanne loved the idea and a few days later, reached out to Natalie Kopp, development officer for SAHP. “Jeanne called me,” Kopp says, “and told me about the family’s desire to start a scholarship. We discussed different options, including the basic requirement for an endowed named scholarship, which is a $50,000 contribution in five years. They’re going to do that and so much more. They have dedicated 100 percent of their trust to the Matthew Lynn Schrader Memorial Scholarship Fund. They intend on attending the scholarship award ceremony each year and hope their family will continue to do so after they are no longer able.” Kopp reported that the Schrader’s have raised approximately $33,000 from a combination of their own funds as well as a special event they hosted last July. “The Matthew Lynn Schrader Memorial Softball game, barbecue, and silent auction at Janssen Field was held on the baseball field on the Cal Poly campus,” Natalie reports. At the July event, a large group of friends and supporters from the San Luis Obispo community turned out, including Jeffrey D. Armstrong, president of Cal Poly SLO, and his dog, Musty. Kopp represented Loma Linda University at the event and said the affection and love of the Schrader’s for their deceased son electrified the day with positive joy. “It was kind of ironic,” Kopp noted, “the way the people of Cal Poly turned out to support a fundraiser to benefit Loma Linda University. It was inspiring! The whole community supported them. Beside the baseball game, there were special games for kids, including a base-running competition, balloon making, and face painting. The family is planning to host similar events in the future, and is considering doing something like this in Loma Linda as well.” In reality, the Schrader’s held a luncheon in 2014 at Mu Restaurant in Redlands right after they announced the start of the scholarship. Craig Jackson, JD, SAHP dean, and a number of other people from the school attended. For Mike and Jeanne, one of the highlights of the day was the opportunity to get together with Michael Dia, the first recipient of the scholarship. “They really hit it off,” Kopp said. “They have had facetime conversations and they stay in touch by email from time to time.” Dia recently sent Jeanne an email in which he expressed his personal thanks and said the scholarship fund “is such a blessing for future PTAs coming out of Loma Linda University.” He concluded by saying, “Thank you so much again for the scholarship award and I can’t wait to start my career and make you guys proud.” Kopp concluded with a philosophical assessment of the impact of the scholarship fund. “On the surface, the Schrader story is one of loss and grief,” she observes, “but take a closer look and you’ll see that it is full of love, passion, and strength. Jeanne and Mike wanted to give others something to aspire to, so they created a scholarship in Matthew’s name to not only encourage students to provide whole-person care, but also to show his daughters that their daddy was someone who still inspires people. Jeanne and Mike brought together two communities, two universities. When they are able, the Schrader’s volunteer to help other parents who have recently lost children. Although they are in need of strength themselves, they have found a way to give it to others. They have a love that will endure for generations.”