Cadisha Gilliams, an All-Star student from the Allen School, started her career at the Woodhaven Medical Center in New York in mid-March of this year. For most people, this would simply be the happy result of successful studies. For Cadisha it was more like a personal triumph over government bureaucracy, thanks to a little — no, make that a lot — of help from her friends at the Allen School.

Twenty years ago someone obtained her social security number and used it to secure a school loan in Connecticut. The identity thief took the money and never enrolled in the school. After a good deal of effort, Cadisha was able to convince the authorities that she was not the person who borrowed the money. Her name was cleared last February—or so she thought.

Nine months passed and Cadisha enrolled in the Allen School. She applied for financial assistance and shortly thereafter received a letter claiming she still was in default of the old Connecticut loan. She was told the only acceptable way to prove she was not responsible for payment would be to hire a handwriting expert at $200 an hour to verify that the old signature was not hers. This was something Cadisha could not afford.

Even after the school intervened in her behalf, the bureaucrats refused to budge, insisting that she repay the outstanding loan or they would not issue any other funds to her. Cadisha faced the prospect of having to pay her entire tuition herself in order to graduate. But she did not have the resources to do so.

When students and faculty became aware of her dilemma, they raised money to help Cadisha finish her studies. An amazed and grateful Cadisha brought those funds to Jill Luke, Director of the Allen School. Touched by her story and by the spontaneous outpouring of good will from the School community, Jill arranged for the school to pay her full tuition and allow Cadisha to graduate. She was able to return all the money to those who had opened their hearts — and their pockets — to help Cadisha with her tuition fee.

Allen School President Robert Teich explains, "We learned about Cadisha's situation and when we heard how the students and instructors pulled together, we wanted to do everything we could to help. Cadisha is a top-notch student and I know that she will be a credit to the Allen School and will enhance our reputation wherever she goes."

Says Cadisha, "If it weren't for the Allen School teachers and students I wouldn't be here right now. It worked out well in the end and I'm very happy. I had faith in my classmates and the school and we found a way. I would do anything for the Allen School. It's not only a medical school — it's a family school!"