Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Awards First Ever Sullivan 180 Medical Scholarship
Award Aims to Improve Local Health Outcomes by Recognizing Exceptional Students Committed to Serving the Community; Samantha Michalek Named Recipient of Inaugural Scholarship
Middletown, New York – Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) has announced the recipient of the newly established Sullivan 180 Medical Scholarship Program. This award promotes the practice of medicine in underserved areas by offering tuition assistance to a TouroCOM Middletown student who has demonstrated financial need, outstanding academic work and dedication to improving the health of the local community.
Middletown native and third-year student, Samantha Michalek, has been awarded the scholarship for her interest in practicing rural medicine in and around Sullivan County, New York. Ms. Michalek will receive a $10,000 grant towards tuition expenses for her third and fourth years at TouroCOM.
“The foundation of TouroCOM’s mission is to train osteopathic physicians to practice medicine in underserved communities,” said Dr. Kenneth Steier, the Executive Dean of TouroCOM. “This scholarship perfectly aligns with our efforts to educate the next generation of physicians who value and support public service and strive to improve health outcomes of local communities. Ms. Michalek greatly represents this objective and is an excellent choice for recipient of the new scholarship.”
“The purpose of the Sullivan 180 Medical Scholarship is to encourage and incentivize the next generation of doctors to practice in our local community,” said Sandra Gerry, Founding Chair of Sullivan 180. “Given Samantha’s accomplishments and genuine interest in improving Sullivan County’s access to health care, we are delighted to have her as the inaugural recipient.”
Dedicated to the field of osteopathic medicine, Ms. Michalek is an active member of the Touro community through her excellent academic standing and various leadership roles. Ms. Michalek served as Vice President of the Student American Academy of Osteopathy, where she organized events to educate the Middletown community on manipulative treatments, and participated in the Hospice Immersion Program to further research the role of practitioners in hospice homes.
The scholarship was created by Sullivan 180, a nonprofit organization devoted to turning around the health and well-being of Sullivan County with an inclusive approach uniting the entire community.
