At Leading Home Care, we believe in investing in the future—and one of the ways we do that is through the Randon Costello Scholarship Fund. This fund honors the life and legacy of Randon Costello, a long-time employee whose love for our caregivers and their families continues to inspire us.

This month, we’re proud to spotlight Michael Paul Hammond, a driven and accomplished student—and the son of Leading Home Care DSW, Flo Hammond.

Meet Michael

“My name is Michael Paul Hammond. I’m the youngest of three and currently a junior at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where I’m majoring in biology. I’ve had the opportunity to intern at both Meharry Medical School and Yale University, and I’m involved on campus through the HCast quiz bowl team and the Rocket Club. I also received the Outstanding Leader scholarship.”

Michael has a passion for science and service, and his goals reflect just that.
“My future goal is to get a Master’s in Public Health and eventually become a cardiac surgeon.”

How the Scholarship Helped

Michael shared that the Randon Costello Scholarship made a real difference during his academic journey.
“Because of the competitive nature of the medical field, the scholarship helped me with my room and board expenses. That meant I didn’t have to get a part-time job to cover those costs, which would have taken time away from my studies.”

Thanks to this support, Michael has maintained a 3.15+ GPA and made the Dean’s List twice in six semesters.

Inspired by His Mom

Michael’s mom, Flo Hammond, has worked with Leading Home Care as a Direct Support Worker for several years.
“She loves helping her client live independently and be part of the community,” he said. “She truly enjoys making a difference.”

Advice to Future Applicants

“College is already a stressful time in your life, and it’s even more so if your attention is diverted by trying to pay for it. Utilize the scholarship wisely—others may not be as lucky. Keep your grades up, because once they drop, it’s hard to bring them back up. For me, it really helped knowing I was being held accountable for my performance. I didn’t want to let the people who believed in me down.”

A Message of Gratitude

To those who make the Randon Costello Scholarship possible, Michael has a simple and heartfelt message:
“THANK YOU! THANKS A LOT!”
“This scholarship helped me and my family with some of my expenses and allowed me to focus on my studies. I truly felt like you were rooting for me to do well.”