Scholar Stories

Headshot of Lauren Edwards, with braids in a bun, smiling into the camera

Protecting and Preserving Holistic Childhood Development for All

March 11, 2025 Comments Off on Protecting and Preserving Holistic Childhood Development for All

“Scholarships received are investments in what I do and stand for, and I want to pay that forward.” In the seventh grade, Lauren Edwards was tasked with creating business cards,…

Headshot of Brittney Blair wearing a royal blue jacket and light blue blouse, and pearls.

Culturally Competent and Holistic Health Care for All

November 21, 2024 Comments Off on Culturally Competent and Holistic Health Care for All

“The change we’re fighting for will likely not manifest during our time, but we have to believe and act like it can and will make a difference someday.”  Brittney Blair…

NMF Scholar Bryan Redmond is wearing glasses, a plaid jacket, white shirt and black tie. He is sporting a National Medical Fellowships logo pin on his lapel.

Curiosity, Compassion, and Commitment to Community

October 29, 2024 Comments Off on Curiosity, Compassion, and Commitment to Community

NMF Scholar Bryan Redmond shares his personal tenets for academic and professional success.   Bryan Redmond’s saturated Google calendar can be broken down into three categories: medicine, mentorship, and service.   All…

Kya Locklear is wearing a dark gray blazer, white shirt, and white beaded earrings.

I am Lumbee: One Physician’s Quest to Achieve More Equitable Indigenous Medicine

August 27, 2024 Comments Off on I am Lumbee: One Physician’s Quest to Achieve More Equitable Indigenous Medicine

Kya Locklear, a 2023-2024 National Medical Fellowships’ Health Excellence Leadership Program scholar, recounts her lifelong journey of connecting with and educating others on her heritage to become a more holistic…

Photo of Rowanne Murrar, smiling into the camera. She wears a black jacket and gray turtleneck.

Addressing Local Community Health Disparities

July 29, 2024 Comments Off on Addressing Local Community Health Disparities

“It’s about propping up the communities that we come from, and giving back to everyone who got us to where we are today.”  Rowanne Murrar sees the National Medical Fellowships’…

Photo of Daniel Alicea wearing a white doctor's coat and glasses looking straight into the camera.

Demystifying Special Health Care for the Socioeconomically Challenged

July 29, 2024 Comments Off on Demystifying Special Health Care for the Socioeconomically Challenged

Daniel Alicea, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Class of 2025, continues his volunteer and mentorship work in underserved communities to improve medical access for all.  Born, raised, and educated in…

Photo of Jonathan Tyes wearing a white doctor's coat and striped tie. He has a full beard.

A Selfless Sibling’s Guide to Studying Medicine

July 1, 2024 Comments Off on A Selfless Sibling’s Guide to Studying Medicine

“I need to make sure I do well not only for me, but also for all those who look like me following in my footsteps.”   Jonathan Tyes – one of…

Photo of Jeremiah Wittington smiling into the camera. He is wearing a black blazer and blue tie and glasses

Setting Intentions and Creating Solutions

February 29, 2024 Comments Off on Setting Intentions and Creating Solutions

“I’ve worked to inspire, mentor, and support aspiring underrepresented minority students on their journeys to becoming health care professionals, too.” Jeremiah Whittington, a fourth-year student at University of Illinois College…

Headshot of Caylon Pettis wearing a black jacket, blue shirt and pink bow tie.

Living on a Vision and a Prayer

February 15, 2024 Comments Off on Living on a Vision and a Prayer

MD/MPH Candidate Caylon Pettis documents his journey through medical school. For Caylon Pettis, attending medical school was a spiritual calling – one his best friend had dreamt, and for which…

Photo of Tasneem Elbasshir wearing a yellow shirt and black blazer. She poses in front of a red background.

A Love for Languages and Life Decisions

February 8, 2024 Comments Off on A Love for Languages and Life Decisions

Tasneem Elbashir, an NMF/Johnson & Johnson Pharmacy scholar, details how deviating from medical school led her to become a drug expert.   When diversifying the health care workforce, National Medical Fellowships…