Heather Pol, PharmD, BCACP, a second year medical student, was recently awarded the Welch Grant by the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF).
Named in honor of Sterling Welch, DO, for his outstanding generosity to the AOF and his desire to support osteopathic medical students and promote education, this grant was established to provide monetary aid to osteopathic medical students.
One student from each College/School of Osteopathic Medicine (COM/SOM) and branch campus is eligible annually and are chosen because of their outstanding academic achievement, participation in extracurricular activities, strong commitment toward osteopathic medicine and financial need.
Dr. Tom Motyka, Chair and Associate Professor of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, wrote a letter of support for Student Doctor Pol and shares he is always impressed by the way she represents Campbell University and the overall discipline of osteopathic medicine.
“Student Doctor Pol has been an OMM Teaching Assistant further perfecting her own OMM and teaching skill as she helps the first-year medical students. She also served as the 2020 Executive Director for our university’s free clinic — a preeminent student leadership position here at Campbell. I know her to be caring, respectful, patient, and to embody the optimal traits to become a successful osteopathic physician.”
Student Doctor Pol is already a licensed pharmacist and decided to become a physician to provide a greater scope of care to underserved patients and reduce the healthcare disparities in disadvantaged communities as a primary care physician.
“Heather’s hard work and effort will get her very far in life and there is no doubt in my mind that she will succeed. She is very deserving of this scholarship and will greatly contribute to her community and to the osteopathic profession after graduation. She is an ideal recipient of the Welch Scholars grant,” concluded Dr. Moytyka.
“I am honored and humbled to receive the AOF Welch Scholars grant,” said Student Doctor Pol. “I thank Dean Powers, Dr. Motyka, and Ms. Otto for their letters of support and assistance with my application.”