Baylor Medical Humanities Students Receive DeBakey Scholarship

May 1, 2015
Debakey scholars

Scholars from L to R: Savanna Garrett, Paul Koester, Lizette Lugo, Sarah Brister, Shannon O'Day, Hillary Villarreal and Hannah Bram.
Photo courtesy of Hailey Pelham.

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Media contact: Terry Goodrich, (254) 710-3321

WACO, Texas (May 1, 2015) – Seven Baylor Medical Humanities students have been awarded the 2015 Michael E. DeBakey, Selma DeBakey and Lois DeBakey Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Recipients are chosen based on academic excellence (maintaining at least a 3.7 science and overall GPA) and service in the health care field. This semester's seven recipients include Savanna Garrett, Shannon O'Day, Sarah Brister, Hannah Bram, Lizette Lugo, Paul Koester and Hillary Villarreal.

"It is my hope that, one day, I'll reflect such selfless generosity in order to be a better health care provider and a better person," said Koester. "By supporting students studying the medical humanities, the DeBakey Foundation is touching the lives of countless family members, friends, and patients that one may influence during a lifetime in healthcare. Without a doubt, the DeBakey Foundation is a force behind the brighter future of healthcare, and for that they have my eternal gratitude."

Established in 2009, the scholarship is awarded to junior and senior medical humanities students. DeBakey Scholars receive $10,000 of scholarship assistance on their way to professional careers in medicine and other areas of health care.

"[Baylor's Medical Humanities Program] strives to equip students with humanistic skills to complement their training in the natural sciences," said Jim Marcum, Ph.D., professor of philosophy and director of the Medical Humanities Program.

by Sarah Czerwinski, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805 in part with Hailey Pelham.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.