DuPage Medical Society Foundation awards 17 scholarship grants
The DuPage Medical Society Foundation board of trustees recently announced the awarding of 17 student scholarships.
Yufan Yang of Woodridge is the 2024 recipient of the prestigious James P. Campbell, M.D., Memorial Scholarship. Yufan is a fourth year student at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He plans on going into oncology. His interest in oncology began in his first year of medical school when the infant son of a close friend was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor. Yufan has been studying brain tumors ever since and has a paper accepted with revision to the Journal of Neuro-Oncology.
Yufan wrote: I aspire to not only be an oncologist that patients would describe as empathetic, patient, and intentional, but also one that helps drive advancements in the treatment of a variety of brain tumors through high-impact research findings.
The James P. Campbell, M.D., Memorial Scholarship was established in 1998 to honor the memory of a distinguished DuPage County physician who for 60 years was also a great advocate for organized medicine. He served the DuPage County Medical Society and other branches of organized medicine in many ways, but most significantly as the society’s secretary‑treasurer for 29 years. Recipients of the James P. Campbell, M.D., Memorial Scholarship must exhibit an outstanding academic background and extraordinary potential for a future in medicine.
Cade Bennett of Glen Ellyn is awarded the 2024 William B. Frymark Sr., M.D., Honorary Scholarship. Cade is a first-year medical student at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine with plans to become a surgical oncologist. He has tutored as a volunteer and is also active in The Rotary Club.
Cade wrote: “First and foremost, I want to become a surgeon, specifically a surgical oncologist, as I have seen how debilitating cancer can be for patients …. I find the work to be extremely noble and motivating, but I believe the future of cancer therapeutics lies in prevention. With the help of other oncologists, I hope to identify pathways in which we can prevent the development of cancer.”
The William B. Frymark Sr., M.D., Honorary Scholarship is a tribute to one of the foundation’s founders who, in the ensuing half century, remained a dedicated supporter and steward of the organization. Doctor Frymark served many terms as a trustee and president of the foundation’s board. He also held many leadership positions with the DuPage County Medical Society. Recipients of the William B. Frymark, M.D., Honorary Scholarship demonstrate superior academic ability, a commitment to service, and great potential as a healthcare service provider.
Other 2024 scholarship recipients are as follows:
• Kavya Anjur, Aurora, Medicine
• Darius Baginskis, Naperville, Health Systems Management
• Venkatsai Bellala, Glen Ellyn, Medicine
• Jaladhija Chalichama, Aurora, Medicine
• Katy Flannery, Naperville, Medicine
• Morgan Harris, Aurora, Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Baasit Jamal, Aurora, Medicine
• Yanal Kawaleet, Lombard, Medicine
• Behrad Khamissi, Winfield, Dentistry
• Robert Luca, Burr Ridge, Medicine
• Alyssa Mantia Johanik, Winfield, Physical Therapy
• Madison Navarro, Elmhurst, Physical Therapy
• Haley Reynolds, Downers Grove, Medicine
• Maximilian Schmidt-Bailey, Downers Grove, Medicine
• Lashawnda Sharkey, Addison, Nursing
“Once again, we had an outstanding group of student applicants,” said Foundation president Lanny F. Wilson, M.D. “Out of respect and appreciation for our generous donors, the foundation takes seriously the evaluation of each candidate based upon needs and merits. In so doing, we hope to steward our philanthropic resources wisely as we support future health professionals and the future of healthcare in America.”
Each year, the DuPage Medical Society Foundation awards 100% of the funds received from contributors. Including this year’s grants, the foundation has awarded more than $521,550 in student scholarships.