Scholar Stories
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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’…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…