The Lancaster Medical Society Foundation, a foundation of Lancaster City & County Medical Society, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Foundation Scholarships. These students have earned numerous academic and leadership awards, and they have been involved in research and clinical experiences.
Witmer, a research assistant and medical interpreter apprentice, is a Franklin & Marshall College graduate and a first-year medical student at Sidney Kimmel Medial College.
She shared that her experiences have heightened her awareness of the challenges faced by underrepresented populations.
“It has underscored the significance of culturally sensitive physicians who can adapt their approach to meet the diverse needs of pa, fostering trust and empowering individuals to actively engage in their healthcare journey. My mission is to address healthcare disparities and contribute to an equitable healthcare system in Lancaster County. My choice to pursue a career in medicine is driven by my genuine calling to serve underrepresented populations and my deep-rooted desire to make a meaningful impact in the Lancaster community and beyond.”
Lalovic, also a Franklin & Marshall College graduate, is currently in his second year at Liberty University of Osteopathic Medicine. He explained that growing up in an immigrant family allowed him the opportunity to witness discrepancies in healthcare at an early age.
Alex spent hours in physician waiting rooms, listening to his mother translate for other refugee families. He explained that the experience had a positive impact.
“I saw how much empathy and compassion every single person – from the secretaries to the nurses and physicians themselves – had for all of these new immigrants. No language barrier could stop them from providing the best care possible. I was taught that the field of medicine is much deeper than just attaining a knowledge of pathologies and facts. Ultimately, I aspire to leave a positive impact on my future patients just as all these local healthcare providers impacted my family’s adopted refugee friends when they were in an extremely vulnerable place.”
Raubenstine, a student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, is a graduate of Lancaster Bible College. His path to becoming a physician was fostered in his previous roles as a behavioral specialist and mobile therapist.
“I began thinking about my role in helping to solve the problem. I started meeting with and observing psychiatrists who worked at many of the frequently utilized organizations in the county. Balancing school and my work responsibilities gave me a broader understanding of how the theory of medicine and practical life events intersect.” “Medicine can allow people to live through a cardiac arrest of traumatic brain injury. Medicine can also improve quality of living in several ways. One of the most fascinating is improving metal health.”
Vozzella, a first-year student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, views medicine as existing at the crossroads of science and service – a philosophy he developed while still in high school.
“My call to medicine began with a two-week period of optimizing my standard swim lesson plan for a little girl on the autism spectrum. This seed grew into a desire to work with pediatric populations, as well as work with neurological and psychological composition of the brain as it develops. Through my experiences with both academia and research, I understand how critical the optimization of care can be for different patient populations to ensure healthy development.”
Lancaster Medical Society Foundation scholarships are given to residents of Lancaster County who are attending allopathic or osteopathic medical schools. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement, exhibit good character and motivation, and show financial need.
The Scholarship Foundation is generously supported by the Lancaster County medical community, through hospitals and health systems, group practices, individual medical society members, and local businesses support the fund.