VCOM 2023 Annual Report

Student Scholarship Highlights (continued)

J&M Bircher Endowed Medical Scholarship Alister ‘Ali” Lowe, Class of 2025 – Blacksburg, Virginia

“Being able to work with patients on multiple aspects of their health will also help me build a sense of community. I strive to make a significant impact on the community where I work and live, and the best way for me to achieve that is to be a rural primary care physician.”

A. Patricia Merryman Endowed Medical Scholarship Sylvia Mast, Class of 2026 – Broadway, Virginia

“I hope to work in an under-resourced area, working to increase health accessibility to those with significant barriers to care. While I still have years of medical education ahead of me, I remain committed to and excited to pursue primary care.”

Latonya M. Hendricks, D.O. Memorial Scholarship

De’Mari Menefee, Class of 2026 – Bassett, Virginia “I have been able to see the effect of decreased access to medical care on many people in rural communities. Many people in the area I worked in went to the emergency room for their primary care issues due to lack of access to a primary care physician. I feel that working in an underserved area will be the most fulfilling in my career due to the experience I have working and living in rural/underserved areas.”

Dr. Peter Krothapalli Honorary Scholarship

Emilie Rihner, Class of 2025 – Auburn, Alabama “I want to work in a clinic or hospital where I can foster a community and follow my patients throughout their treatment. Patients feel safer and trust their doctors more when they know their medical team is there for the long haul.”

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