As he interviews for residency programs, fourth-year medical student Bowen Song has a bit of a buffer to blunt the expenses of the application process, thanks to the Texas Medical Association’s 50-Year Club Scholarship Fund.
The $1,000 scholarship awarded to the John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School student in recognition of outstanding academic performance allows him to “focus fully on finding a program that aligns with [his] goals and dedication to patient care,” Mr. Song said.
“The scholarship offers more than financial assistance; it represents a commitment from experienced physicians to the success and education of future doctors in Texas” and inspires him "deeply” to give back to future medical students as well, he added.
The 50-Year Club Scholarship helps students in the face of onerous medical school debt that often climbs into hundreds of thousands of dollars. The scholarship’s eponymous club comprises physicians who graduated from medical school 50 years ago or more who are committed to ensuring the success of the next generation of physicians.
“Receiving this scholarship is a tremendous honor, and I am incredibly appreciative of your support as I continue my medical education,” said Hannah R. Chang, a recipient at UT Southwestern Medical School.
She adds that the 50-Year Club Scholarship will play a vital role in enabling her to ultimately achieve her twofold goal of making meaningful contributions to patient care and pediatric dermatology research.
Scholarship recipient Promise Ufomadu, a third-year medical student at Baylor College of Medicine, plans to practice in federally qualified health centers to provide cost-effective and affordable health care to patients from resource-limited backgrounds.
“As one who has witnessed generational struggles in affording health care necessities and adhering to diabetes management due to cost and access barriers, this scholarship puts me one step closer to my life’s mission: delivering patient-centered, resource-oriented preventive medicine that bridges gaps in access and affordability,” Mr. Ufomadu said.
He’ll use his scholarship to meet academic and tuition needs, allowing him to tackle most of his financial burdens as he continues his medical education.
“Thank you once more for investing and believing in my future as I progress along my journey to becoming a physician,” he said. “It is truly an honor and blessing to me to receive this scholarship.”
Applications for the 2025 scholarship fund will open in July. The $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually.
The 50-Year Club Scholarship Fund is one of several scholarships TMA offers. Contributions to the fund are tax-deductible and can be made at texmed.org/donate. For more information, contact Chris Johnson.
Jessica Ridge
Reporter, Division of Communications and Marketing
(512) 370-1395