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Expanding scholarships

Endowed scholarships play a critical role in encouraging medical students to pursue careers in primary care and are another strong focus of the capital campaign. Michael Campolo, D.O. (’83), a family practice physician in Newark, Ohio, and a preceptor for osteopathic medical students for almost 20 years, said he is “amazed at the amounts of debt students have, and yet they still have a passion to be doctors.”

After focusing on establishing his practice and raising his children, Dr. Campolo reconnected with OU-HCOM several years ago. After visiting the campus, he and his wife were impressed with the students’ enthusiasm and decided to give back by establishing the Ruth A. and Michael E. Campolo, D.O., Osteopathic Medical Scholarship. This scholarship is now given annually to a student with a strong interest in family medicine who demonstrates a commitment to community service. Dr. Campolo also gives back to OU-HCOM by serving as a preceptor, board member of the OU-HCOM Society of Alumni & Friends and member of the college’s capital campaign committee.

Jeff Stanley, D.O. (’82), immediate past-president of the OU-HCOM Society of Alumni & Friends, tells a similar story. After more than 10 years in a busy vascular surgery practice, Dr. Stanley became involved with the college again through his work on the Society of Alumni & Friends Board, where he worked closely with Jack Brose, D.O., now the vice provost for health affairs at Ohio University and dean emeritus of OU-HCOM.

“Dr. Brose is a visionary, and he is not afraid to step out of the box,” Dr. Stanley said. Most recently, Dr. Stanley felt it was important to honor Dr. Brose’s contributions and decided the best way was to “go where his heart is: the students.” The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation shared Stanley’s vision and generously contributed the initial funding for the largest scholarship in OU-HCOM’s history, the Jack A Brose, D.O., Primary Care Scholarship. Dr. Stanley and his wife also provided crucial financial support to initiate the award. This renewable scholarship will be given to a medical student with financial need from central or southeastern Ohio who demonstrates qualities Brose most cherishes—a commitment to leadership in primary care and intent to practice in Ohio. The capital campaign aims to raise more than $750,000 to ensure endowment of this and many other scholarships that will help remove barriers to choosing a career in primary care.

OU-HCOM, through the support of esteemed partners, distinguished faculty and staff and its graduates, has accomplished great things in its short history. The college is highly regarded nationally, and the success of our graduates speaks to the quality of our programs. While transformational gifts have set the stage for an ambitious future, it is only through the generosity of our partners and friends that we truly ensure the continued success of our college and our graduates.