VCOM- Giving to VCOM- Scholarships

VCOM has several current, designated scholarships where you may wish to apply your gift, OR you may wish to begin your own scholarship fund.

Those currently in place are:

Appalachian Virginia Service Scholarship
The Appalachian Virginia Service Scholarship was established to facilitate recruitment, training, and retention of students in the rural and underserved areas of Appalachian Virginia. Appalachian Virginia includes the counties of Alleghany, Bath, Bland, Botetourt, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Highland, Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Rockbridge, Russell, Scott, Smith, Tazewell, Washington, Wise/Norton, and Wythe, and the independent cities of Bristol, Buena Vista, Covington, Galax, Lexington, Norton, and Radford. This one-time scholarship is awarded to an incoming first-year student whose career plan is to practice medicine in Appalachian Virginia. Recipients must be residents of Appalachian Virginia or have obtained an undergraduate degree from a four-year college or University in Appalachian Virginia.

Blacksburg AARP Chapter Gerontology Scholarship Fund
The Blacksburg AARP Chapter Gerontology Scholarship Fund was established by the Blacksburg AARP Chapter as part of fulfilling a provision in a Memorandum of Understanding signed May 18, 2010, which is designed to build stronger ties between the Blacksburg AARP and VCOM. The Blacksburg AARP Chapter is committed to providing quality healthcare to senior citizens in the region. This scholarship fund is to be awarded to a VCOM Geriatric Fellow who must intend to practice Geriatrics in the Commonwealth of Virginia. If there is not a Geriatric Fellow, the scholarship will be awarded to a 4th year VCOM medical student who must intend to become a Gerontologist who will practice in Virginia.

The Blake E. Fought Memorial Endowed ScholarshipThe Blake E. Fought Memorial Scholarship Fund is named in memory of Blake E. Fought, the son of Mark and Amy Fought ’08. This scholarship was established by the Student Doctor Network to provide a lasting memorial to Blake and as a tribute to the Fought Family. The scholarship shall be awarded to an OMS3 or OMS4 medical student whose children are residing with him/her.

“I enjoy working with children and adolescents; therefore, I am working toward training in pediatrics.” Sherice Richardson ’12 2010-2011 Recipient

Dr. Stephen Blood Emergency Loan Fund
This fund originally established in 2004 by Dr. Stephen D. Blood, who practiced Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine in Alexandria Virginia and now limits his practice to OMM. Dr. Blood, along with his father were pioneers in establishing osteopathic medicine, especially in the D.C. and Alexandria areas. He is a strong advocate for doctors of osteopathy to include osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) in their practice. Annually, Dr. Blood conducts a well-attended workshop at VCOM for physicians and medical students.

Dr. Blood has been a leader for many years serving on the Board of the Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association and is a Past-President of the Association. Dr. Blood presents Continuing Medical Education sessions annually at the Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association meeting.

Dr. Blood and his wife Connie, who is his office manager, are both strong supporters of osteopathic medical students. Not only do they donate funds, they encourage friends, family and patients to donate to a student emergency fund. The fund is used to support students who experience a crisis causing extreme financial distress that may threaten the ability for the student to continue his or her education at VCOM. Since the establishment of this fund, three or more VCOM students have benefited from this fund annually. Dr. and Mrs. Blood are to be commended for their unselfish and compassionate attitudes.

Dr. Blood serves as clinical faculty for VCOM students. The administration, faculty, and students of VCOM appreciate the support he has given the college over the years.

Friends to Optometrists

“I hold fast to the belief…”Not to be ministered unto but to minister. I feel I can do this through practicing medicine.” Megan Friedman ’13
2010-2011 Recipient

Gene Bane, O.D. established the Friends to Optometrists Scholarship Fund in 2002 in recognition of the positive relationship between the Osteopathic Profession and the Profession of Optometry. The professions, both of which offer primary health services to patients, have experienced a positive collaborative working relationship for many years. The Scholarship was established to benefit the Osteopathic Medical Students at the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. The fund has additional contributions from Optometrists within the Virginia and Southwest communities. Contributions to this fund are always encouraged.

Howard Levine Memorial Scholarship
The Howard Levine Scholarship Fund is named in memory of Howard Levine, D.O. The scholarship was established in 2005 by the family and friends as a lasting memorial to Dr. Levine. Practicing many years in New Jersey, he will be remembered for his altruistic and compassionate interaction with patients, as well as his dedication to osteopathy. The scholarship will be awarded to an OMS3 or OMS4 student, who is a resident of New Jersey attending the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Arpit Patel ‘11 was recognized as “Student of the Year” for the UMDNJ region. This speaks to the caliber of medical student Arpit is. 2010-2011 Recipient

J. Michael Bernardo Scholarship Fund

The J. Michael Bernardo Medical Mission Endowed Fund is named in memory of J. Michael Bernardo, a member of the Class of 2010, who tragically lost his life in 2009 while serving on a Dominican Republic medical mission. The scholarship was established by family and friends as a lasting memorial to Mike. Moneys will be provided to OMS3 or OMS4 students on a one-month or longer medical rotation in the Dominican Republic.

Margaret Palmieri Scholarship

“I am determined to integrate into a small rural community once I graduate and serve as a community family physician.” Kelli Savia ’13 2010-2011 Recipient

The Margaret Palmieri Rural Health Scholarship Fund was established by the friends and family of Margaret Palmieri for OMS3 and OMS4 students whose career plan is to practice medicine in a town with a population under 15,000 in rural Virginia or Appalachia. The fund was originally established by James Palmieri, Ph.D., family and friends in 2003 after his wife, Margaret, tragically lost her life while bicycling in a rural area of Virginia. The fund is open to all donors who might be particularly interested in the health care needs of rural areas.

The Carolinas Service Scholarship
The Carolinas Service Scholarship was established to facilitate the recruitment of physicians in rural and underserved areas of the Carolinas. This scholarship is awarded to a first-year student whose career plan is to practice in North or South Carolina. Recipients must be residents of North or South Carolina and have graduated from a four-year North or South Carolina college or university.

Keyash Beaty plans to return to practice medicine in South Carolina “…I hope to use these skills (OMM) to treat acute and/or chronic ailments that plaque many people.” Keyash Beaty ’14 2010-2011 Recipient

“I want to do my part …and make a difference with my patients and their families by stressing healthy lifestyles and preventative medicine.” Ryan Fields ’14 2010-2011 Recipient

“I chose to attend VCOM because their views on rural outreach apply entirely to my interests: to return to my hometown in the foothills of the North Carolina Appalachian Mountains and serve my community as an osteopathic family physician.” Paige Kimbrell ’14 2010-2011 Recipient

Rural or Under Served Virginia Services Scholarship
The Rural or Underserved Virginia Service Scholarship granted to a graduate of a four-year Virginia college or university who is a resident of a rural or medically under served area in Virginia and who plans to return to a rural or medically under served area in Virginia to practice medicine.

“It is my hope that I can practice in my hometown of Buena Vista, VA. I will employ the osteopathic principles in my practice, both OMM and preventive medicine.” Kellan Clark ’14 2010-2011 Recipient

“Medicine offers something different to people that few careers can, and I want to bring this hope and care to others.” Rachel Guthrie ’14 2010-2011 Recipient

Physiology Scholarship
Established by Chris Reilly, Ph.D., awarded to a student who excels in the field of physiology, at the end of the first year of medical school at VCOM.

Presidential Scholarship
Awarded to an exceptional student who demonstrates financial need and exhibits leadership, service to others and academic excellence.

VCOM Faculty Scholarship
This scholarship provides assistance to students in good standing who demonstrate financial need.

Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association Scholarship
The Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association (VOMA) Scholarship Fund was established by VOMA for VCOM students who are committed to practice medicine in Virginia upon completion of residency. The scholarship fund is open to all donors who might be particularly interested in the health care needs of the citizens in the state of Virginia.

Of course, VCOM welcomes additional gifts to the above scholarships, but also is interested in working with perspective benefactors to establish new scholarships to honor or memorialize individuals or efforts. Scholarships to support those entering primary care and/or rural and small community sites are strongly encouraged.

For more information about establishing a new scholarship, contact Diane Sutphin, Director of Development Office at 540-231-3584 or 540-230-6275, djsutphin@vcom.vt.edu.

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