The Colorado Medical Society Foundation (CMSF) has announced the recipients of its annual scholarships for medical students in Colorado. The foundation offers two main scholarships: the Gilchrist Student Leadership Scholarship and the Rural Track Scholarship.
The Rural Track Scholarship is awarded to students who are in good academic standing and are completing their first or second year in a rural medicine track at a Colorado medical school. This scholarship aims to support those who plan to serve rural communities, where access to health care can be limited.
Among this year’s Rural Track Scholars is Roopa Bhat, who developed an app called When2Go to help rural residents decide when to seek hospital care. Bhat’s background as an EMT and her studies at Columbia University and the University of Colorado School of Medicine have shaped her commitment to providing comprehensive care in underserved areas.
Rebecca Bolen, another recipient, grew up in Winter Park, Colorado. Her interest in rural medicine began with an EMS course during high school. At Rocky Vista University, she created Rural Roots: Healthcare Pathways to encourage rural high school students to consider careers in medicine.
Isabella Contolini has focused on both rural and wilderness medicine. Her experiences include mission trips to Guatemala and shadowing physicians, which influenced her desire to build close relationships with patients and serve her community.
Robert Tolson, a first-year student at Rocky Vista University from Fort Morgan, Colorado, was inspired by his mother’s work as a nurse. He plans to become a physician who not only provides medical care but also supports his community personally.
Conor Wallace grew up in Eagle County and witnessed the challenges faced by families needing specialized treatment far from home. He intends to return after training to address health disparities in rural Colorado.
The Gilchrist Student Leader Scholarship recognizes third- and fourth-year medical students for their leadership contributions within organized medicine.
Sonia Abraham is one of this year’s Gilchrist Scholars. She has been active in policy writing for CMS and has participated as a liaison at health equity meetings for the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE). “Throughout medical school, she wrote policy for CMS and testified on critical patient and physician issues. As a liaison at CDPHE health equity meetings, she amplified student voices, believing that recognizing community gaps is vital to uplift and safeguard marginalized groups.”
Dakota Hitchcock has advocated for underserved populations since joining CMS. She worked on securing Medicaid funding for transportation related to opioid use disorder treatment through American Medical Association (AMA) advocacy efforts. “Since joining CMS, future doctor Dakota Hitchcock has witnessed the power of advocating for communities…Through AMA advocacy, she helped secure Medicaid funding for essential car rides to treatment.”
Pritika Parmar served as a delegate representing Colorado students at the AMA. She supported policies aimed at reducing skin cancer rates and improving interpreter services for patients with limited English proficiency. “Future doctor Pritika Parmar recognizes the importance of taking health equity issues from research to clinical care, and ultimately to legislation…She is committed to advocacy and aspires to bridge the gap between research, clinical care and policy.”
These scholarships highlight ongoing efforts by CMSF to support future physicians dedicated both to leadership roles within organized medicine and service in rural areas across Colorado.
