United Health Foundation/NMF Diverse Medical Scholars Program

This service-learning program is designed to increase the number of qualified medical providers who have a commitment to improving access to quality health care in medically underserved communities. This program is a renewable scholarship that provides a $7,000 award to thirty-eight (38) qualified 2nd-4th year medical students.

About the Program

Established in 2013, the United Health Foundation (UHF) has partnered with National Medical Fellowships (NMF) to offer the Diverse Medical Scholars Program. This program aims to increase the number of qualified medical providers who have a commitment to improving access to quality health care in medically underserved communities. This program is a renewable scholarship that provides a $7,000 award to 38 qualified second-year, third-year and fourth-year medical students. Selected scholars will be enrolled in a medical school located in the U.S., be a member of an underrepresented minority group, and have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to underserved communities. All scholars are required to complete a 200-hour self-directed community health project with a community site of their choice. Due to safety precautions surrounding COVID-19, scholars should prepare for all or portions of their project activities to be virtual.

2021-22 Applications will open on August 6, 2021 and close October 17, 2021 at 11:59pm Eastern Time.

Program Eligibility

UHF Scholar candidates must meet the following eligibility:

  • Proof of U.S. citizenship or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) approval letter
  • Currently enrolled as a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year medical student in an accredited MD/DO school located in the U.S.
  • Identification with one of the following groups underrepresented in medicine: African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American (Vietnamese and Cambodian only), Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
  • Demonstrated leadership early in career
  • Commitment to serving medically underserved communities
  • Propose a community health project that has clear goals, data collection, measurable outcomes, and provide new insight about the community and/or benefit to the community.
  • Must identify a project mentor who is available to the Scholar for guidance about his or her project in terms of planning, implementation, addressing project challenges, etc. Preferably it is someone who is directly at the project site.

Program Requirements

Scholars will be required to complete their program requirements between December 2021 and June 2022. Program requirements include:

  • 200 service-learning hours with a community site of choice located in an underserved community
  • Orientation participation (December 2021)
  • Written report on Community Health Project
  • Poster creation (displayed at culminating event)
  • PowerPoint creation
  • Oral presentation
  • Scholars are highly encouraged to attend the UHF Forum in Washington, D.C. (June 5-8, 2022)
  • Program culminating event participation in Washington, D.C. (June 8, 2022)
  • Evaluation – Pre- and Post-Program Surveys (Scholar & Mentor)

To view the 2021 Virtual UHF/NMF Diverse Medical Scholars Program Culminating Event that took place on June 10, 2020, please click here.

About the United Health Foundation

Guided by a passion to help people live healthier lives, United Health Foundation (UHF) provides helpful information to support decisions that lead to better health outcomes and healthier communities. The Foundation also supports activities that expand access to quality health care services for those in challenging circumstances and partners with others to improve the well-being of communities.