WMSF Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation

Introduction
The Scholarship Program administers multiple named scholarship and award funds according to the intentions of the individuals or organizations that endowed them. Below is a concise description of each fund and the application requirements. Note: the application deadline for all scholarships is February 1.

How to apply
Many of the awards listed use the General Scholarship Application. That application also explains how recommendation letters should be formatted. Use the General Scholarship Application to apply for the scholarships noted below.

Scholarships that use the General Scholarship Application

Wisconsin Medical Society Presidential Scholar Award
- Amount: $5,000
- Purpose: To honor future medical leaders who demonstrate the attributes, skills and commitment to become medical leaders in Wisconsin.
- Eligibility and requirements: Applicants must be medical students who will enter their final year next fall and must meet the general scholarship eligibility. Candidates must show active involvement with the Wisconsin Medical Society or a County Medical Society. One letter of recommendation must come from a Wisconsin Medical Society member who has worked with the applicant on the Society’s Board of Directors, a council or task force, or locally as a County Medical Society officer. The personal statement must emphasize the applicant’s activities and ties to Wisconsin.
- Note: Applicants who are not selected for this named award will automatically be considered for general scholarships.

Future Superhero of Medicine Scholarship for Underrepresented Minorities
- Background: Created as part of the legacy of Jasmine Zapata, MD, MPH—named the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation Superhero of Medicine in 2020 for her work to improve maternal health, reduce infant mortality, and mentor Black girls and women.
- Purpose: To support and encourage underrepresented minority students to pursue careers in health and medicine.

Victor A. Baylon, MD, Memorial Scholarship
- Amount: Awards of $1,000 or more
- Purpose and eligibility: Established in memory of Dr. Baylon, a Racine pathologist, this fund supports medical students, medical technologists and clinical laboratory scientists. Awards of $1,000 or more are restricted to residents of Racine or Milwaukee counties.
- To apply: Submit the General Scholarship Application.

Edmund J. and Estelle D. Walker and General Medical Education Scholarships
- Purpose and eligibility: Funded by the Edmund J. and Estelle D. Walker Trust and other general funds, these scholarships are available to students enrolled in medical school in Wisconsin who have completed, or are in the process of completing, at least one year of medical school. Multiple awards may be offered; the number and amount depend on the pool of qualified applicants.

Goodman-Goodell Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students currently in their second year of medical school in Wisconsin who are from the Portage, Wisconsin area and who express interest in specializing in pulmonary medicine or in general family practice.
- To apply: Use the General Scholarship Application.

Robert Jason Gore Scholarship
- Background: Established by Dr. Donald and Jackie Gore in memory of their grandson Robert Jason Gore.
- Eligibility: Open to students attending medical school in Wisconsin.
- Personal statement requirement: Explain with examples how you embody the values of chivalry, honor and loyalty and how you will apply those qualities in patient care.
- To apply: Submit the General Scholarship Application.

Amy Hunter-Wilson, MD, Scholarship
- Eligibility: American Indian students pursuing training or advanced education as physicians (MD), nurses, or in related health professions.
- Award amounts: Vary, generally $1,000 or more.

Marathon County Medical Society Scholarship
- Amount: $3,000
- Eligibility: One award annually for a medical student who graduated from high school in Marathon County and who is entering either of their final two years of medical school in Wisconsin.

John D. and Virginia Riesch Scholarship
- Purpose and eligibility: Created with a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Riesch to support students pursuing careers as physicians or nurses. Medical student applicants must attend the UW School of Medicine and Public Health; nursing applicants must be enrolled at UW–Madison.
- Personal statement guidance: Describe how you have demonstrated empathy, recognition of colleagues, a passion for learning, and a desire to share knowledge to educate colleagues and patients.
- Preference: Given to applicants who intend to practice in Wisconsin.
- Awards: One medical student award and one nursing student award are available.

Rukmini and Joyce Vasudevan Scholarship
- Eligibility: Female students who will be entering their third or fourth year of medical school in Wisconsin in the fall.
- Personal statement guidance: Provide examples demonstrating compassion, caring and courage, or perseverance and hard work despite adversity.
- Established by: Dr. Sridhar Vasudevan in honor of his mother, Rukmini, and his wife, Joyce.

Jefferson County Medical Society Scholarship
- Amount: $3,000
- Eligibility: One annual award for a medical student who graduated from high school in Jefferson County.

Notes
- Unless otherwise noted above, apply using the General Scholarship Application and follow its instructions for recommendation letters and personal statements.
- Background and donor information referenced for some funds are available through the Foundation’s resource links.