The Department of Family Medicine & Community Health offers two scholarship opportunities for third-year medical students. Each award provides financial support of $5,000 for students working to address an unmet need in the community. Up to 50% of the awards may be used to defray tuition expenses and expenses incurred while carrying out the project.
Scholarship Funds
Michael R. Nathan Memorial Fund
The Michael R. Nathan Memorial Fund is awarded to a third-year medical student who undertakes a project in community health, occupational health, or international health. The fund is named for Michael R. Nathan, MD, a 1973 graduate of Duke University School of Medicine.
The Eva J. Salber Award
The Eva J. Salber Award is awarded to a third-year medical student(s) to investigate and improve the health of a defined, disadvantaged population group. The award is named for Eva J. Salber, MD, an early pioneer in Duke's efforts to partner with Durham County on community health projects.
Application
A call for applications will be sent at the end of the MS2 year with an application deadline of October 1st.
Selection Process
The Michael R. Nathan Memorial Fund Award and the Eva J. Salber Award are granted annually on a competitive basis. Awardees are chosen by a selection committee comprised of alumni, members of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, and community physicians.
Expectations of the Recipient
- All recipients must complete Community Health online modules and complete the Community Health approvals process upon selection.
- Each project must be supervised by a faculty adviser from Duke University School of Medicine and representative from the Nathan/Salber Endowment Fund (Kim Nichols).
- Written progress report to be submitted to the Department of Family Medicine & Community Health within six months of the receipt of the first award payment. The second award payment is contingent upon successful submission of this report and documented progress toward the completion of the project.
- A final written report describing the process and outcomes of the project must be submitted to the Department of Family Medicine & Community Health within 12 months of the receipt of the first award payment.
- Presentation of project at a venue to be announced (such as research or educational event at Duke) and to faculty of the Department of Family Medicine & Community Health. In addition, a summary of completed projects will be featured on the department’s website and publicized in the School of Medicine.
Distribution of the Grant Monies
Half of the awards will be distributed upon completion of interim report and remaining funds will be distributed after the receipt of the final report. Award funds are conditional upon the completion of final progress report.
Past Scholarship Recipients
Learn more about past scholarship recipients and their projects.
2019-20
- Pratik Doshi, "DukeMed Benefits Enrollment Center Fellows"
- Julian Xie, "Root Causes Fresh Produce Program"
2020-21
- Nicky Chung "Going Places: A park-based active transportation tool to increase recreation access and physical activity for underserved youth"
- Willis Wong, Root Causes WellNest Housing Support Program"
2021-22
- Kelly Goo, "Identifying barriers to specialty care access among low-income seniors with complex chronic illness"
- Anna Paschall and Sara Grundy, "Duke Health Collaboration and Re-Entry Support (CARES)"
2022-2023
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Olanrewaju Adisa, “Reducing Sickle Cell Disease Burden in Kalangala, Uganda: Community Based Screening and Home Visits for Pediatric Patients with Sickle Cell
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Pal Shah, “Health of Female Veterans: a comprehensive analysis of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 2017-2021
2023-2024
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Anivarya Kumar, “Rx Health Literacy: Addressing Inequities in Access to Health Information and Improving Clinical Communication with Racially Marginalized Communities in Durham”
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Beau Blass and Allison Chu, “Just For Us - Enhanced Telehealth Home Primary Care Program”