WMSF Scholarships

The purpose of the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation Scholarship Program is to provide assistance to outstanding students who will fill Wisconsin’s health care workforce needs in the future. A majority of the funds are available to students enrolled in medical school in Wisconsin with preference to those considered Wisconsin residents and those who demonstrate a desire to practice in Wisconsin upon completing their training. Limited funds are also available for students pursuing other health careers.

The Scholarship Program includes several named scholarship and award funds that are administered according to the wishes of the individual or organization that established the fund. A brief description of each fund and application materials are provided below.

General Scholarship Application:

The following scholarships all use the General Scholarship application Form. To apply for any of these scholarships, click here. The application contains information on how to format recommendation letters.

Wisconsin Medical Society Presidential Scholar Award

To recognize future medical leaders, this $5,000 award is available to medical students who will be entering their final year next fall and who exemplify the attributes, skills and desire to become a medical leader in Wisconsin. In addition to general scholarship eligibility, applicants must show active involvement with the Wisconsin Medical Society or a County Medical Society. One letter of recommendation must be from a Wisconsin Medical Society member who has worked with the applicant on the Society Board of Directors, a council or task force, or locally as a County Medical Society officer. The applicant’s personal statement must highlight activities and ties to Wisconsin. Applicants not chosen for this award will automatically be considered for general scholarships.

Future Superhero of Medicine Scholarship for Underrepresented Minorities

Jasmine Zapata, MD, MPH was named the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation Superhero of Medicine in 2020 for her extraordinary efforts to improve maternal health and decrease infant mortality. She was also recognized for her tireless work encouraging, supporting and mentoring Black girls and women to follow in her footsteps and forge their own path. As part of her legacy as a Foundation Superhero, she established the Future Superhero of Medicine Fund to be used for efforts that support and encourage underrepresented minorities to pursue careers in health and medicine.

Victor A. Baylon, MD, Memorial Scholarship

As a lasting tribute to Dr. Baylon, a pathologist from Racine, his family and the laboratory staff of All Saints Healthcare System, Inc. created this scholarship for medical students, medical technologists and clinical laboratory scientists. Scholarships of $1,000 or more are limited to residents of Racine or Milwaukee Counties. For background information on Dr. Baylon, click here. To apply, complete the General Scholarship Application.

Edmund J. and Estelle D. Walker and General Medical Education Scholarships

Through the Edmund J. and Estelle D. Walker Trust and general scholarship funds, the Foundation offers scholarships to students attending medical school in Wisconsin. You must have completed or be in the process of completing at least one year in medical school to be eligible. Several awards are available with the number and amount of each award dependent on the number of qualified applicants. For background information on the Walker Scholarship, click here. To apply, complete the General Scholarship Application.

Goodman-Goodell Scholarship

Established through an estate gift from Maurice Goodman, Jr., awards from this fund are limited to students currently in their second year of attending medical school in Wisconsin who are from the Portage, Wisconsin area and who express an interest in specializing in pulmonary medicine or in general family practice. To apply, complete the General Scholarship Application.

Robert Jason Gore Scholarship

Established with a gift from Dr. Donald and Jackie Gore in memory of their grandson, Robert Jason Gore, who was killed in Iraq, this fund is available to students attending medical school in Wisconsin. To apply, complete the General Scholarship Application and in the personal statement, provide examples of how you live the values of chivalry, honor and loyalty, and how you will use those qualities in caring for patients. For more information on Robert Jason Gore, click here.

Amy Hunter-Wilson, MD, Scholarship

Amy Hunter-Wilson, MD, Scholarship: Established by Dr. Hunter-Wilson, this scholarship is available to American Indian students who pursue training or advanced education as doctors of medicine, nurses, or in a related health field. Award amounts vary, generally $1,000 or more. For background information on the Amy Hunter Wilson, MD Scholarship, click here.

Marathon County Medical Society Scholarship

The Marathon County Medical Society Scholarship is a $3000 award to one medical student each year who graduated from high school in Marathon County and is entering either of their final two years of medical school in Wisconsin.

John D. and Virginia Riesch Scholarship

Established with a gift from Dr. and Mrs. Riesch, this fund offers scholarships for students pursuing careers as physicians or nurses. Applicants for the medical doctor award must be attending UW School of Medicine and Public Health and nursing students must be attending UW-Madison. To apply, complete the General Scholarship Application and in the personal statement, stress how you have demonstrated empathy, recognition of colleagues, passion for learning and the desire to share your knowledge to educate colleagues and patients. Preference is given to students who desire to practice in Wisconsin. One medical student and one nursing student award are available. For more information on Dr. and Mrs. Riesch, click here.

Rukmini and Joyce Vasudevan Scholarship

Established with a gift from Dr. Sridhar Vasudevan to honor his mother, Rukmini, and his wife, Joyce, this fund is available to female students who will be entering their third or fourth year of medical school, in Wisconsin, in the fall. To apply, complete the General Scholarship Application and in your personal statement, provide examples of your compassion, caring and courage or hard work despite adversity or obstacles in life. For more information on Dr. Vasudevan, click here.

Jefferson County Medical Society Scholarship

The Jefferson County Medical Society Scholarship is a $3,000 award to one medical student each year who graduated from high school in Jefferson County.