by Jennifer Kowalewski
Tyree Winters
III
anticipates the day he begins practice as an osteopathic
physician, following in the footsteps of one his inspirations,
William Anderson, D.O.
The third-year OU-COM medical
student was the first recipient of the William G. Anderson,
D.O., Minority Scholarship Award for 2005. The $5,000
scholarship from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) will
help Winters pay for his medical education.
Anderson is
the first African American to serve as president of the AOA and
was a part of the civil rights movement, working side by side
with Martin Luther King Jr.
Winters says
he is proud to be the first to receive the scholarship. Winters
says Anderson continues his practice today in Detroit, Winters’
hometown.
“I
was excited,” he says. “I was truly elated. I was nearing the
limit I have for loans. The Anderson scholarship allows me to
finish medical school without taking out additional loans.”
“It is truly
a blessing from God,” he says.
When he first saw the
announcement of the scholarship, he thought it was perfect for
him.
“It allowed
me the opportunity to show I was putting everything — financial
and otherwise — into completing medical school.” He attended the
University of Michigan in Dearborn, earning a bachelor’s degree
in psychology and a minor in sociology before heading to OU-COM.
He learned of the scholarship
while working with Gillian Ice, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant
professor of social medicine. Under Ice’s direction, he was
conducting research on blood glucose levels and their effect on
depression.
Winters has
developed into a true leader at OU-COM, says Pat Burnett,
Ph.D., director of student affairs. Winters co-founded and
chaired the Student Pre-Medical and Dental Association,
co-founded the Association of African American Student
Scholastic Scholarship Fund and served as volunteer chairman of
the National Society of Black Engineers.
He also has served in the community
with Meals-on-Wheels and as a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Volunteer.
“He’s a
very, warm loving individual,” Burnett adds. “You feel
comfortable with Tyree.”
De-Anthony King,
academic enrichment administrator, says these attributes will
make him a good doctor.
“Tyree is
passionate about everything,” King says. “He is passionate about
school. He is passionate about his friends. It highlights him as
an individual. He puts his heart into everything he does.”
Lynne Chapman,
administrative assistant for alumni affairs and development,
recalled the first time she met Winters, she thought of him as a
big, lovable teddy bear. She also remembers him talking about
God blessing him by allowing him to come to OU-COM.
“He is hardworking and
concerned for others,” she says. “He goes that extra mile. He
is always there to help out. What will make him a good doctor is
his caring. I really think people are looking for doctors who
are concerned with their whole well being. That is what a D.O.
stands for — and Tyree will meet that expectation as a D.O.”
Currently, Winters is
completing a clerkship at
South Pointe
Hospital in Warrensville Heights. He hopes to specialize in
pediatrics or family medicine.
“One day I hope to start a
scholarship similar to this one,” Winters says. “I want to pay
back the help I have received.”
Following graduation, Winters
would like to move to an urban area, such as Detroit, to help
the African American community.
“My
goal is to work with an urban community and develop preventive
programs for minority children who are high risk for diabetes
and other diseases,” he says. “I want to be able to give them
healthier choices and to help them be physically fit.”
- 30 -
News for
the week of Nov
5 –
Dec 10
