ElevateMeD Celebrates $1,000,000 Awarded in Scholarships to Increase Physician Workforce Diversity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The nonprofit supporting underrepresented medical students announces its 2023-2024 Scholars Program Cohort
Scottsdale, Arizona- The Board of Directors of ElevateMeD, Inc. are proud to announce the 2023-2024 Scholars Program cohort. This year’s cohort features 15 new Scholars and 10 returning students from medical schools across the country, including the newest partner schools The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Rowan University. Each Scholar will be awarded a $16,500 tuition-based scholarship, a $5,500 increase from 2022. Now in its fourth year, ElevateMeD has awarded more than $1,212,000 in scholarships and support to deserving medical students.
“As indicated by the recent JAMA open network publication, a diverse physician workforce positively impacts health outcomes, specifically where there are diverse patients,” shares Dr. Alyx Porter Umphrey, Founder and CEO of ElevateMeD. With only 9% of physicians identifying as Black/African American, Native American, Alaska Native, or Latinx, ElevateMeD is on a mission to increase physician workforce diversity and improve cultural competence among physicians to reduce health disparities.
The ElevateMeD Scholars Program is a multifaceted program designed by ElevateMeD to develop the next generation of physician leaders from African-American/Black, Latinx, and Native American backgrounds. Once nominated and selected from the application process, each Scholar is awarded a tuition-based scholarship to minimize the financial debt burden for each year remaining in their medical degree in addition to physician mentorship, access to peer network support, leadership development opportunities, and financial management education.
“ElevateMeD was founded out of a gap, my husband, Dr. Gregory Umphrey and I, experienced in our own matriculation through medical school and beyond. Our commitment to eradicate health disparities through the investment in diverse future leaders in medicine has reached the milestone of over $1,000,000 awarded in scholarships and support. While this number humbles me, it’s the holistic approach we have taken with our ElevateMeD Scholars program that is truly priceless.”
This year’s application pool was highly competitive, featuring over 50 nominees from the 21 partnering medical schools. The 2023-2024 Cohort of ElevateMeD Scholars and their respective institutions are as listed:
Georgina Dominique, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (2024)
Samantha Rosa, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (2024)
Deja Rush, Howard University College of Medicine (2024)
Onyinye Okonma, Morehouse School of Medicine (2025)
Nevill Duncan, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (2024)
Emily Sowah, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (2025)
Christopher Corona, Texas Christian University School of Medicine (2025)
Emily Plumage, The Ohio State University College of Medicine (2025)
Evans Osuji, The Ohio State University College of Medicine (2024)
Ejehi Erewele, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine (2024)
Leonida Radford, University of Washington School of Medicine (2025)
Banahene Glover, UT Southwestern Medical School (2025)
Perpetuah Sherman, UT Southwestern Medical School (2025)
Jerry Graham, Wayne State University School of Medicine (2025)
Zeynoire Anderson, Wayne State University School of Medicine (2025)
Returning ElevateMeD Scholars from previous cohorts include:
Alexis Booker, Indiana University School of Medicine (2024)
Aonesti Williams, Indiana University School of Medicine (2024)
Ashley Harriott, Emory School of Medicine (2024)
Brianna Spell, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine (2024)
Jordan Edwards, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (2024)
Maia Young, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Florida Campus (2024)
Marcus Childs, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix (2024)
Megan Corn, University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences (2024)
Michael Megafu, A. T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (2024)
Oluwatoyosi Arogbokun, University of Minnesota Medical School (2024)
In celebration of the fourth anniversary, ElevateMeD is hosting a fundraising event Ignite Atlanta in Downtown Atlanta at the Georgia Aquarium. This year's celebration will herald a memorable night featuring musical entertainment by DJ Tron, live and silent auction, an exclusive 'Battle for Bey' raffle, pre-event networking hour with open bar, and dinner program honoring our 2023 Trailblazer Award recipient Dr. Fatu Forna and a special keynote address by ElevateMeD Scholar Arrix Ryce, Emory School of Medicine '23. Emory and Morehouse School of Medicine students will be presented with their tuition-based scholarships at the event. Full event details can be found at ignite.elevatemed.org. The annual flagship scholarship fundraiser, Explosion of a Dream, will take place on September 23, 2023 at the Mountain Shadows Resort in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Sponsorship opportunities for Explosion of a Dream are available at dream.elevatemed.org.
ABOUT ELEVATEMED:
ElevateMeD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to elevating medicine by providing scholarships, mentorship, leadership training, and financial management education to future physicians from African-American/Black, Latinx, and Native American backgrounds. Through our Scholars Program, we aim to increase physician workforce diversity and improve cultural competence among physicians to reduce health disparities. Learn more about our mission and vision by visiting elevatemed.org and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @elevatemedinc. View the 2022 Impact Report at impact.elevatemed.org.
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Media Contact:
Keiona Eady
843-312-1027 | pr@elevatemed.org
