For medical students like John Austin, Alexa Ciarolla, and David Garate, a scholarship means much more than just lightening their financial load. It means connection with and support from the Texas medical community. It means more focus on becoming a well-trained physician and paying it forward.
The students are among the five selected for this year’s Krishna Memorial Scholarship, one of seven scholarships available through the Texas Medical Association.
Having worked in partnership with TMA as a legislative staffer before entering medical school, Mr. Austin said he has “a deep respect and commitment to the goals of the TMA to serve the health of all Texans.” With the help of this scholarship, the second-year student at UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine looks forward “to furthering those goals throughout my career and involvement in organized medicine.”
Ms. Ciarolla, a fourth-year student at UT Southwestern Medical School (UTSW) who came from out of state, said because of the award, “I am able to enjoy the many resources and great educators UTSW offers in hopes of achieving my goals to become a well-trained clinician.”
The $1,000 scholarship is available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents in their second through fourth years of medical school within The University of Texas System. Recipients are selected based on ability, scholarship, and medical aptitude, plus financial need.
“It means a great deal to my family and I as this contribution will alleviate my financial burden substantially and allow me to be more focused on my journey through medical school,” said Mr. Garate, a second-year student at UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine.
The other recipients are Karim Baho of Austin, a second-year student at UT Austin Dell Medical School, and Isha Mittal of Harlingen, a fourth-year student UT Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine.
The Krishna Memorial Scholarships are awarded annually in the summer, based on recommendations from each school’s financial aid office. For more information about scholarships and loans available through TMA, visit the Educational Loans and Scholarships webpage.
Tammy Wishard
Account Manager, Division of Communications and Marketing
(512) 370-1470