Five new scholarships have been created for medical students at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, courtesy of several different benefactors. One of the scholarships is geared toward medical students who plan on careers in specific areas of medicine. All five scholarships will benefit students who have demonstrated financial need.
Two of the new scholarships are being created by the faculty and staff of the Department of Orthopaedics, under the direction of Dr. Ali Oliashirazi, chairman of the department.
The Department of Orthopaedics Third Year Medical Student Scholarship will be awarded to a third-year student who has an interest in orthopaedic medicine, excels academically and has a demonstrated financial need. The Department of Orthopaedics Fourth Year Medical Student Scholarship will be awarded to a fourth-year student who has maintained a 4.0 GPA during medical school and also has a financial need.
A third scholarship has been endowed by Dr. Monica A. Valentovic, professor of Pharmacology, in honor of her parents. The Edward and Anne Valentovic Memorial Scholarship is named in memory of Valentovic’s parents, who lived and worked most of their lives in Cleveland, Ohio. The scholarship will be awarded to a third- or fourth-year medical student who has been involved with research either at the undergraduate level or while in medical school. Preference will be given to a student who has done or is currently involved in research with a full-time faculty member in the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Toxicology.
“It is thrilling to work with individuals who are committed to helping our students in whatever ways are needed,” said Linda Holmes, director of Development and Alumni Affairs. “Dr. Oliashirazi and Dr. Valentovic are both incredible, dynamic professors and for them to take this extra step to help students financially speaks volumes about their sincere desire to see our students and our School of Medicine succeed.”
Holmes said two other scholarships have been established through the generous support of a JCESOM alumnus and the grateful family of a recent graduate. They are the Janssen Scholarship for the School of Medicine, created by Dr. Eric W. Janssen, Class of 1986, and the Sekar Family Scholarship, created by Dr. Chandra S. Sekar.
The Janssen Scholarship was created in memory of Eric Janssen’s parents, Mr. Fred L. and Mrs. Louis J. Janssen. The recipient of the award will be a first-year medical student who has a financial need. The award is renewable for all four years pending satisfactory academic progress.
The Sekar Family Scholarship was created in honor of Dr. Chandra S. Sekar’s son, Dr. Krish D. Sekar, Class of 2012, in memory of his late wife, Hema Sekar, and to show appreciation to the School of Medicine for his son’s medical education. The award will be given to a first-year student and is renewable based on normal academic progress.
The five endowed scholarships will help defray annual tuition expenses for the student recipients.
For more information on the scholarships contact Linda Holmes at 304-691-1711.
