Capital Medical Society Foundation continues its support with nine scholarships
Nine Florida State University College of Medicine students were awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships by the Capital Medical Society (CMS) Foundation at a recent ceremony held at the college’s Tallahassee Regional Campus.
“The Capital Medical Society Foundation’s long history of supporting our medical students is a blessing,” said College of Medicine Dean, Alma Littles, M.D., who participated in the ceremony. “By lessening our students’ financial burden and debt load, the CMS Foundation is also contributing to their day-to-day wellbeing. We are incredibly grateful for their continued support of the College of Medicine and our future physicians.”
This year’s scholarship recipients include first- and second-year College of Medicine medical students and third-and fourth-year students from its Tallahassee Regional Campus. The nine recipients are listed alphabetically, with current medical school class and Florida hometown:
• Ashley Archer (M.D. Class of 2026) Port St. Lucie
• Andy Asher (M.D. Class of 2025) Crawfordville
• Jason Bowden (M.D. Class of 2028) Tallahassee
• Mikalin Huckeba (M.D. Class of 2028) Eastpoint
• Owen Moore (M.D. Class of 2027) Pace
• Dhenu Patel (M.D. Class of 2027) Tallahassee
• Kirstie Walters (M.D. Class of 2025) Pembroke Pines
• Abigail Watson (M.D. Class of 2027) Tallahassee
• Kaleigh Wingate (M.D. Class of 2026) Tallahassee
“Medical school is an expensive proposition,” said Frank Walker, M.D., who chairs the CMS Scholarship Committee. “My physician colleagues proudly support medical students who have a financial need, but also a desire to practice medicine in the Big Bend or Florida panhandle, where there is a great need.”
The CMS Foundation Scholarship Committee selects its recipients after reviewing applications and conducting interviews. It places an emphasis on financial need and the desire to practice in North Florida following the completion of residencies.
The foundation has provided more than $800,000 in scholarships to FSU College of Medicine recipients since the college admitted its first class of medical students, which graduated in 2005. Many of those recipients are now practicing in Tallahassee and the surrounding area, and some serve on the CMS scholarship committee.
Much of the funding for scholarships comes from the Capital Medical Society Foundation Holiday Auction, which will be held Dec. 5. The College of Medicine participates and contributes to the annual fundraising event which helps CMS fulfill its mission through various programs.
“It’s another way physicians and others from our community demonstrate their appreciation and support of our students,” Littles said. “And it’s a great way to show them the importance of giving back.”
Photo credits
(Above) Back row, left to right: CMS Foundation Scholarship recipients Owen Moore, Dhenu Patel, Mikalin Huckeba, Andy Asher, Abigail Watson, Ashley Archer, Kaleigh Wingate, Kirstie Walters and Jason Bowden. Front row, left to right: Tallahassee Regional Campus Dean, Sandeep Rahangdale, M.D., CMS Executive Director, Tom Block and College of Medicine Dean, Alma Littles, M.D.
(Top) College of Medicine Dean, Alma Littles speaks to the scholarship recipients while CMS Scholarship Committee Chair, Frank Walker, M.D. looks on.
(Photos by Colin Hackley/FSU College of Medicine)