Medical Student Scholarships
We value training and supporting the workforce of the future. We have a generous endowment and are pleased to offer scholarships to medical students in Northwest based medical schools.
The TFME Medical Scholars Program strives to
- Enhance professional development of student physicians
- Reduce the cost of medical education
- Promote future practice in Oregon.
The 2026 TFME Scholar program provides four (4) medical school scholarships in the amount of $5,000.00 each. TFME Scholars are invited to participate in the TFME professional development programs including distinguished lectureships on health policy and healthcare, the Physician Well-Being Conference and other TFME programs related to professional skills enhancement and medical excellence.
The 2027 Scholarship Application will open in early December 2026.
2025 Medical Student Scholars Laura Chan and Mitchka Mohammadi with TFME Medical Director Ellen Singer, MD (June 2025)
Walter McDonald Scholarship: Benjamin Georgioff (OHSU)
Ben attended Mt. Hood Community College and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in microbiology. In his medical school class, he is engaged as a mentor, tutor and peer connector. When asked about something learned in medical school that could be shared with a 6th grader, Ben responded: “Disneyland. Surgery. Same difference really!” Ben’s application demonstrated his commitment to self-knowledge, his support of others, and his belief in a fair, joyous and equitable health system. We’re confident that he’ll lead with these talents as a physician.
Warren Jones Scholarship: Supriya Iyer (OHSU)
Supriya received her undergraduate degree from Caltech and completed a pre-medical baccalaureate program at Portland State University. She has worked as an engineer at Microsoft and a researcher in otolaryngology and urology labs at OHSU. Supriya is committed to helping others understand the intricate engineering of the human body and has built complex models to help train surgical techniques globally. Supriya’s message to a 6th grader? “Medicine is a cake that though enrobed in a bittersweet buttercream of difficulty is made up of layers of fun, fulfillment and joy.” We are certain Supriya will bring all of these layers to her future career as a surgeon.
Joseph Bloom Scholarship: Annie Kokoyan (OHSU)
Annie is a UCLA graduate with a degree in psychology. She is fluent in English and Armenian. She has been an active tutor, community outreach worker and kitten foster parent through her medical school training. Annie hopes to practice community-based psychiatry in Oregon. She is passionate about insuring access to care and health equity for all. Annie’s reminder to a 6th grader was: “Protect your empathy. Build community and seek mentors. Medicine is only sustainable when you allow yourself to remain human in it.” Annie has built a solid foundation for herself based on this vision, and will undoubtably support others to achieve it as well.
John Ulwelling Scholarship: Katelyn West (Western University of Health Sciences – COMP NW)
After attending Oregon State University, Katelyn graduated from Portland State University. She worked for many years as an Emergency Room Technician at Kaiser Permanente’s Westside Medical Center. Throughout her medical school training, she has been active in quality improvement programs and research. In her application, Katelyn described her complex personal health journey, how she balanced parenting her two children and the experiences that let her to a deep passion for clinical neurology and serving rural populations. In her application Katelyn advised 6th graders in this way: “For someone who wants to follow this path I would recommend a few tools. First, curiosity. Always ask questions and wonder why things happen. Second, teamwork. Doctors never work alone and learning how to listen and help others matters a lot. Third, kindness and patience. Medicine is about people, not just facts, and treating others with care makes you a better doctor and a better teammate.” Katelyn’s words echo John Ulwelling’s kindness, purpose and vision and she is a deserving awardee.