PHILADELPHIA, PA — NBME doubled the number of awards in its medical school scholarship program for the 2026-2027 cycle, granting 20 students $10,000 each as financial pressures on trainees intersect with concerns about the nation’s future physician supply.
The scholarships are offered through a partnership with National Medical Fellowships. Each award is renewable for as many as three years for students enrolled at accredited U.S. medical schools who demonstrate financial need and a record of service.
NBME established the program in 2023. This year’s expansion follows hundreds of applications and raises the annual number of recipients to 20.
The 2026-2027 recipients are Saimon Acevedo, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science; Mikayla Bartelt, University of Minnesota Medical School; Sharleen Cineas, Burrell College of Health Sciences; Angela Diaz, Indiana University School of Medicine; Ellen Essien, The Ohio State University College of Medicine; Adam Gaetz, Central Michigan University College of Medicine; Mohammed Ghalib, University of South Alabama Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine; Yousuf Hassen, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio; Reggie Henderson, University of Arizona College of Medicine; and Melissa Huerta, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.
The remaining recipients are Migdalia Iglesias and Tamea Williams, Florida State University College of Medicine; Kiara Langford, UAB Heersink School of Medicine; Christopher Martinez, University of Illinois College of Medicine; Alejandro McDonald, Emory University School of Medicine; Jesus Mendoza, Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine; Njasi Oji, University of South Carolina Floyd School of Medicine; Sumayah Oudda, Georgetown University School of Medicine; Wanjiru Rwigi, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine; and Sophia Tu, University of Missouri School of Medicine.
NBME held a recognition ceremony Aug. 3 for the recipients.
President and Chief Executive Officer Peter J. Katsufrakis told students that medical training can reshape how future physicians understand both the rewards and pressures of the profession.
“Until you’re actually on this journey of becoming a physician, it’s hard to fully appreciate how much it will change your perspective on the joys and pains of medicine,” Katsufrakis stated.
Several recipients are pursuing careers aimed at underserved populations. McDonald, an Emory medical student, pointed to health disparities as a central reason for entering medicine and described the scholarship as reducing the financial burden of training.
Bartelt, a University of Minnesota student from rural southern Minnesota, linked her career goals to improving access in rural and underserved communities.
NBME reported that it provides more than $1 million annually through scholarships and fee-assistance programs for medical students with demonstrated financial need.
The expanded scholarship program comes as NBME positions financial support as part of a broader effort to strengthen the future physician workforce.
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