New National Scholarship Seeks Future Doctors Who Put Patients and Equity First

National call for applications: a scholarship centered on patients and equity

The Dr. James Charasika Scholarship for Medical Students has opened a national search for its first class of scholars. The program is designed to support pre-med undergraduates who plan to become physicians with a clear focus on patient-centered care and health equity. Organizers are asking students from across the country to apply, with a particular eye toward those whose backgrounds or life stories have prepared them to serve patients who are often overlooked.

This is not a general merit-only award. The scholarship prioritizes students who show a commitment to reducing health disparities, listening to patients, and building medical practices or careers that value dignity and access for all. The funders and advisory board describe the effort as a long-term investment in a different kind of medical leadership—doctors who measure success by better experiences and fairer outcomes for patients, not just by clinical ratings or research prestige.

Who the scholarship serves and what it funds

The Dr. James Charasika Scholarship will support pre-med college students who intend to enroll in medical school. Awards will cover a range of needs: tuition support for the final years of undergraduate study, gap-year expenses for applicants taking time to strengthen medical school applications, and seed funding for early medical-school costs for those already admitted. Exact award sizes vary from modest stipends that help with application fees to larger awards meant to reduce debt pressure as students begin medical training.

Eligible students may come from any undergraduate major, provided they meet the pre-med requirements at their institution. The scholarship is aimed at students who plan to practice clinical medicine and who can show a commitment to patient-first care—examples cited by the program include community health work, patient advocacy, and projects that increase access to care in underserved areas.

Selection will lean toward applicants who combine academic promise with lived experience or service that connects to equity. That means first-generation college students, those from low-income households, people from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, and applicants with volunteer or work histories serving marginalized communities are likely to be competitive.

Eligibility, application materials, and what the selection committee looks for

To apply, students must be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program in the United States and planning to pursue medical school. The program explicitly targets pre-med undergraduates rather than graduates or current medical students. Applicants should be within two years of graduating or be taking a gap year before medical school.

Required materials include a current transcript, a personal statement explaining the applicant’s commitment to patient-centered care and equity, two letters of recommendation (one academic, one that speaks to community service or patient-focused work), and a résumé or activity list. The scholarship may also request a short supplemental essay on a real-world example where the applicant helped improve care or access for a patient or community.

The selection committee evaluates academic readiness alongside practical experience and character. They will weigh leadership in community settings, sustained volunteer work, and clear plans for how the student intends to practice medicine in ways that make care fairer and more humane.

How to apply — timeline, steps, and practical tips

Applications open now with a final deadline later this academic year. Applicants submit materials through the scholarship’s online application portal; the program also accepts questions by email. After the deadline, semifinalists will be notified and asked for an interview, either virtual or in person. Final award decisions are expected several weeks after interviews conclude.

Practical tips from the organizers: write plainly and with concrete examples in your essays; have recommenders describe specific situations where you demonstrated commitment to patients; and explain how the scholarship will change your path to becoming a physician who serves communities that face barriers to care. The committee says authenticity matters more than polished language—tell the story that only you can tell.

Why this scholarship was created: Dr. James Charasika’s goal

Dr. James Charasika started his medical career in community clinics and later worked in both hospital and policy settings. The scholarship honors his belief that medical training should produce clinicians who treat the whole person and work to dismantle barriers that keep people from getting care. The fund aims to remove financial obstacles for students who will carry that mission forward.

The founders say the scholarship is also a response to the broader call for equity in medicine: more clinicians who share patients’ backgrounds, who know local systems, and who commit to listening. By supporting students early, the program hopes to influence how future doctors approach care from day one of medical school.

Expected impact, partners, and how to get more information

Organizers expect the scholarship to support dozens of students over the next several years and to create a network of clinicians focused on patient-centered, equitable practice. Early endorsements from community health groups and medical-education organizations suggest partners will help mentor recipients and open clinical learning opportunities.

Students who want to apply can find the application portal on the scholarship’s official website or direct questions to the program office by email at [email protected]. The scholarship plans to publish timelines and finalists’ announcements on its site as decisions are made.

Sources

• prnewswire.com