Southern Medical Association Announces Recipients of the Society of 1906 and Society of 1924 Scholarship Awards
The Southern Medical Association (SMA) is proud to announce the recipients of its prestigious Society of 1906 and Society of 1924 Scholarships, awarded during SMA’s Annual Scientific Assembly held October 24-26 in Atlanta, Georgia. These scholarships, each in the amount of $2500.00, are presented annually to medical students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and a commitment to advancing health care.
This year’s Society of 1906 Scholarship, commemorating the founding of the Southern Medical Association, has been awarded to Charissa Obeng-Nyarko of the Florida State University College of Medicine. Charissa graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in 2017, after which she completed a two-year fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, where she contributed to translational research and gained clinical experience with diverse patient populations. This experience deepened her desire to pursue a career in medicine and she plans to pursue residency training to become an academic dermatologist following medical school. Although Charissa wasn't able to attend the presentation ceremony in person, she sent a sincere message, thanking SMA for her scholarship.
The Society of 1924 Scholarship, which celebrates the establishment of the SMA Alliance, has been awarded to Shivani Jain from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Shivani is completing her MD training at LSUHSC, having previously earned her undergraduate degree in Biology and Sociology. She has also completed graduate training in Medical Genetics, Epidemiology, and Global Health, show- casing her commitment to healthcare improvement across disciplines.
"Each year, we are inspired by the dedication and vision of this year’s recipients,” said Randy Glick, SMA Executive Director. "These scholarships serve as an investment in the next generation of healthcare leaders, supporting their education and empowering them to make lasting impacts in their chosen fields. We are honored to support Charissa and Shivani as they continue their journeys in medicine.”
The SMA extends heartfelt congratulations to both recipients and appreciates the commitment of all applicants who strive to make a difference in their communities. The Society of 1906 and Society of 1924 Scholarships are made possible through generous contributions to the SMA’s Research and Education Endowment Fund, which has provided more than $3.7 million in financial support through scientific research grants, loans, and medical student scholarships. To learn more or to donate, please visit https://sma.org/research-and-education/.
