Mike and Judy Bircher, Blacksburg residents and current and former Standardized Patients at VCOM-Virginia, created this endowment in 2022. Having developed a great appreciation for the caliber of VCOM’s educational standards and training excellence, the Birchers’ scholarship awards medical students who have financial need, are in strong academic standing and wish to have an impactful future as a physician.
Scholarships
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 his family and friends as a lasting memorial to Mike. Awards are made to OMS3 and OMS4 students who complete medical rotations of at least a month in the Dominican Republic.
Dr. James F. (Jim) Wolfe, Founding President and President Emeritus of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), passed away in 2022. Prior to his leadership role at VCOM, Dr. Wolfe’s career spanned 32 years at Virginia Tech. Dr. Wolfe and his wife, Nancy, who passed away in 2023, were at the heart of the College, its foundation and its students for many years.
The James “J” and Renae Pearson Scholarship is a need-based scholarship awarded to a second, third or fourth year medical student, who received his or her undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech.
The Jeanne Horne Stosser Endowed Medical Scholarship is given to second, third, or fourth year students from Southwest Virginia.
The Dr. John A. Cifala and Laura C. Cifala Memorial Osteopathic Medical Fund was established by the family to honor the memory of Dr. Cifala, founding Board Member of VCOM, and his wife, Laura.
John Skelton has been a longtime Blacksburg resident who recognizes the need for physicians in the region. The scholarship award gives preference to students whose hometown residence is in the Commonwealth of Virginia, who excel academically, have financial need, and plan to return to do primary care in the state of Virginia (internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, or OB/GYN).
The Julie W. Ghent Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by Julie’s loving family and Mid-Carolina AHEC. This scholarship honors the memory of Julie W. Ghent who worked as the Student Coordinator for VCOM-Carolinas host site Springs Memorial Hospital.
In recognition of Dr. Hendricks Carter's commitment to VCOM and her profession, the family and the College created a scholarship in her name.
Recipients shall be, at the time of receipt of the scholarship funds, a second, third or fourth-year Virginia-VCOM medical student in good academic standing. The scholarship is restricted to a student whose home address is from the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Grayson, Tazewell, Washington and Wise, Virginia, Cities of Norton and Bristol, Virginia and the city of Bristol, Tennessee, and Sullivan County, Tennessee.
The Mary Black Medical Staff Endowed Scholarship is a need-based scholarship that acknowledges the early support of both the physicians and staff at Mary Black Hospital, which is now a part of the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System.
The Medical Scholarship provided by The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, provides a scholarship opportunity for third and fourth year medical students agreeing to practice as primary care or behavioral health physicians in an undeserved area of Alabama.
Established in 2021 by members of the New River Valley Health Foundation, the endowed scholarship recognizes the academic excellence and contributions of VCOM-Virginia students who grew up in the New River Valley area (Carroll, Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, Wythe Counties or the City of Radford).
The Niyati P. Sheth Scholarship for Excellence in Microbiology and Pharmacology was created by Niyati P. Sheth, DO, Class of 2007.
The Patricia A. Marden Women’s Health Award was established in 2012 by Dr. David Marden, in honor of his mother.
The Scholarship, created by Garnett Smith, was established as a Mother’s Day memorial to three significant women in his life, including his late wife, Patsy, who was passionate about improving rural and underserved medicine. Preference will be given to students from Southwest Virginia and students who are inspired and committed to medical outreach and underserved communities.
The Randall "R.J." Kirk Endowed Medical Scholarship, established by Mr. Kirk, seeks to recognize and reward VCOM medical students who embody the values of osteopathic medicine and who graduated from a high school in southwest Virginia.
The Ron Kindrick and Dean Willcox Global Outreach Scholarship Fund is named in memory of Ron Kindrick, late husband of Jan M. Willcox, DO, Virginia Campus Dean.
The Rural Access Fund for Psychiatry was established by Jason Grove, DO, who graduated from VCOM in 2007. The Scholarship helps deter costs of auditioning for a residency in psychiatry.