A Medical Device Daily

The American Medical Association Foundation (Chicago) awarded Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarships to 15 rising fourth-year medical students.

Recipients were nominated by their medical school dean and chosen by a selection committee based upon their academic standing and financial status, as well as community involvement, letters of recommendation and personal statement. Each student will receive a $10,000 scholarship to help defray medical school expenses.

"These medical students represent the very best of the next generation of U.S. physicians," said AMA Foundation President Jean Howard. "Their academic achievements as well as their leadership and volunteer activities speak to their commitment to make a difference in the medical profession."

As the philanthropic arm of the American Medical Association, the AMA Foundation has made it a priority to assist medical students in handling the rising cost of medical education. The Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarships were created in 2004 to provide financial assistance to medical students facing spiraling medical school debt. On average, medical students in the U.S. graduate with a debt load of nearly $140,000.