- June 26, 2026
Eight students and an aspiring firefighter are a step closer to their goals after AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach awarded $6,000 in scholarships to nine local recipients.
Now in its fourth year, the annual Ethan Wilson Memorial Scholarships honor Ethan Wilson, a firefighter and paramedic with the Ormond Beach Fire Department who died in 2023 after a surfing accident. Wilson, who lived in New Smyrna Beach, was treated at AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach. He later donated his organs, and the awards keep his name tied to the community he served.
“Ethan’s name still means something here,” Ormond Beach Fire Department Capt. Nick Nates said. “Seeing these young men and women pursue careers dedicated to helping others is a reminder that Ethan’s legacy continues to make an impact in our community.”
This year’s recipients include:
“These students earned this recognition through hard work and a real commitment to service, leadership and academic excellence,” said Dr. Heather Metchick, chief of staff at AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach. “This scholarship gives them a little more support as they take the next step.”
Dr. Jose Rosado, chief medical officer at AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach, said the ceremony brought together students who are already thinking about how they will serve others.
“When you look around this room, you see people who want to make a difference,” Rosado said. “Whether they become nurses, physicians, paramedics or firefighters, supporting them today helps build the next generation of caregivers and first responders. We hope to welcome some of them back to AdventHealth one day as colleagues.”
For Ashley Wilson, Ethan’s wife, the annual ceremony remains a meaningful reminder of the impact her husband continues to have on others.
“It is hard to put into words how much it means to see Ethan remembered this way,” Wilson said. “He lived to help people. Seeing students carry that forward makes his legacy feel close and alive.”
