Scholarship Donors Make a Difference for Many

The University of Texas Medical School at Houston recognized scholarship donors and recipients during the first scholarship luncheon Nov. 4 at the John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science.

Donors who have established scholarship funds assisted almost 50 students with education expenses this year.

“The heart and soul of an institution like ours is the quality of its people, and that’s where scholarships come into play,” said L. Maximilian Buja, M.D., dean of the medical school.

On average, medical school graduates across the United States carry a student loan debt that tops $100,000. It is an enormous financial burden, Buja said, and one that may prohibit some students from pursuing their dreams to become doctors.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Dierks Surgical Scholarship Fund, the Ernst Knobil Scholarship Fund, the John C. Ribble Endowed Scholarship Fund and many more are helping ease that financial strain so students at UT-Houston can achieve their goals.

“The scholarship I received to help fund my medical education has been a tremendous blessing,” said Scott Wiesenborn, a first-year student. “Through the generosity of scholarship donors, the Organization of Parents and Friends at UT-Houston has allowed my wife and me to concentrate on my education instead of on financial issues.”

Roland Wu, the 2003 recipient of the Gian Luigi Giannotti Endowed Memorial Scholarship in Rheumatology, said the honor further improves his experience at UT-Houston.

“I will continue to do my best taking care of patients and living up to the expectations that come with this award,” Wu said. “I am only able to do the things that I do because I enjoy working with colleagues, faculty and the patients we see.”

Enrique Montemayor, this year’s recipient of the Bryant Boutwell, Dr.P.H., and John P. McGovern, M.D., Medical School Scholarship Award, said it is a great feeling to know that people are willing to provide financial assistance to help students accomplish their goals.

“Most of my undergraduate course work was financed through government aid and a huge portion through scholarships, as well,” Montemayor said. “I have always believed in the notion that nobody should refrain from attending school because of a lack of financial resources.”

Justin Parrott, who was awarded the M.D. Anderson Matching Scholarship, said he is grateful for such a gracious gift.

“The cost of a medical education far surpasses my family’s resources,” Parrott said. “The scholarship deflects much of the large loan burden I would have to put on myself to pay for school.”

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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