The Foundation is committed to the philosophy that osteopathic medicine is “modern medicine for the body, mind, and spirit”. This is the fundamental and unique aspect of osteopathic medicine that has been taught in our medical schools for more than 100 years. This commitment is especially true when it comes to serving those in our society that have historically been underserved in our healthcare system.

It may be decades before the sexual identity, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds of our physicians match our population. The more we can help every medical student understand the unique opportunities in their diverse patient population, the better health outcomes we can expect in these populations. Often, medical students with diverse life experiences are the best resource we have to teach other students and professors.

Scholarship To Support LGBTQ+ Healthcare

“The LGBTQ+ community has faced discrimination and injustice since its dawn; this is something I have personally experienced as a lesbian cis woman. As an osteopathic physician, I will not stand for these challenges in delivering appropriate quality care to my patients. My commitment to my patients extends beyond physical wellness, to the spiritual and mental level—”the trilogy” which A.T Still described at the dawn of osteopathy. This is fundamental to me.” Student Doctor Remy Arnot, First LGBTQ+ Diversity Scholarship Recipient

Beginning in 2022, the Foundation has provided a $10,000 tuition scholarship to an osteopathic medical school student with a strong commitment to serving the healthcare needs of patients in the LGBTQ+ community. It is our goal to increase both the number of scholarships and the size of these scholarships with additional financial support from the community.

Healthcare systems in America have historically marginalized patients in the LGBTQ+ community. Studies have shown higher rates of inequitable healthcare and poorer healthcare outcomes in this community. There is no simple solution to solving these problems, but the Foundation is committed to supporting LGBTQ+ osteopathic medical students on their path to becoming doctors of osteopathic medicine.

Research has shown that interaction with LGBTQ+ physicians has a positive effect on bias in medical school students. The Foundation believes LGBTQ+ students interacting with fellow students has the same effect and, because of the small number of medical school professors, might be the only interaction some students have with a member of the LGBTQ+ community in a healthcare teaching situation.

An LGBTQ+ osteopathic medical student has the opportunity to have an impact on healthcare inequities and outcomes, both as a mentor and role model in school and as a practicing physician later in life. To support this extra commitment to the LGBTQ+ community in medical school, the Foundation is committed to this additional support through tuition scholarships.

Qualifications for LGBTQ+ Scholarship

First, applicants MUST complete the standard Foundation Scholarship Online Application. Scores on this standard application will be 50% of their score for the LGBTQ+ scholarship. The final application will be released on or about February 28, 2023, but it will focus on these areas:

1. Applicants must be osteopathic medical school students in their second, third, or fourth year when they receive the scholarship.
2. Student applicants must demonstrate commitment to practicing medicine in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and/or Washington State; or the Northwest in general.
3. Student applicants must demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the principles and practices of osteopathic medicine.
4. Student applicants must demonstrate a commitment to volunteer leadership and community service.
5. One letter of recommendation.

Additionally, student applicants from the LGBTQ+ community will have the opportunity to demonstrate commitment to the LGBTQ+ community through healthcare outcomes and/or healthcare advocacy. One additional letter of recommendation will be allowed, but not required.

Scholarship To Support Students of Color from Historically Underrepresented Groups

“There are many cultures in our country that have a well-founded mistrust of our medical system. We have had a history of experimenting on them to their detriment (Tuskegee) and of not offering all therapies to all individuals, but rather providing certain treatments only to those with “good” insurance or who can afford them. In light of this, having a physician one can trust often means having a physician who looks like you. If you do not trust your physician, you will not seek preventative care, will not follow instructions, and will not have the best health outcomes.” Lisa Watts, DO, Supporter of Foundation HUG Scholarships

Beginning in 2022, the Foundation has provided a $10,000 tuition scholarship to an osteopathic medical school student from a historically underrepresented group in medicine. It is our goal to increase both the number of scholarships and the size of these scholarships with additional financial support from the community.

In general, our scholarship is intended to support osteopathic medical school students identifying themselves as African American and/or Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians), Pacific Islander, and/or mainland Puerto Rican.

The benefits for individual patients and across the BIPOC community of having a culturally and racially diverse physician pool have been documented for decades. We applaud the efforts of osteopathic medical schools to recruit and support students from groups that are underrepresented on their campuses.

Minority medical students have the opportunity to impact health care inequities and outcomes, both as mentors and role models in school and as practicing physicians later in life. To support this extra commitment to HUG students in medical school, the Foundation is committed to this additional support through tuition scholarships.

Qualifications for HUG Scholarship

First, applicants MUST complete the standard Foundation Scholarship Online Application. Scores on this standard application will be 50% of their score for the HUG scholarship. The final application will be released on or about February 28, 2023, but it will focus on these areas:

1. Applicants must be osteopathic medical school students in their second, third, or fourth year when they receive the scholarship.
2. Student applicants must demonstrate commitment to practicing medicine in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and/or Washington State; or the Northwest in general.
3. Student applicants must demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the principles and practices of osteopathic medicine.
4. Student applicants must demonstrate a commitment to volunteer leadership and community service.
5. One letter of recommendation.

Additionally, students of color applying for the HUG scholarship will have the opportunity to demonstrate commitment to the BIPOC and other underserved communities through healthcare outcomes and/or healthcare advocacy. One additional letter of recommendation will be allowed, but not required.