Jacob Stephens Awarded Physician Memorial Scholarship

Wilson Memorial Hospital recently announced the recipient of the 5^th Annual Physician Memorial Scholarship. This year’s scholarship winner is Jacob Stephens of Fort Loramie.

Established following the death of Bruce C. Urbanc, D.O., in 2008, the scholarship is a joint effort of the Wilson Memorial Hospital medical staff and the hospital. The scholarship is awarded to a student who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a fully accredited school of medicine or osteopathic medicine in the continental United States. The student must be a Shelby County high school graduate.

“We recently awarded $2,000 to Jacob to assist on his journey through medical school,” said Dr. Robert McDevitt, chief of staff at Wilson Memorial. Members of Wilson’s Medical Staff Executive Committee were charged with making the final selection. Members of the committee include, Dr. Robert McDevitt, Dr. Paul Thorpe, Dr. Kenneth Bosslet, Dr. Frederick Simpson, Dr. Michael Trygstad, David Andrick, director of physician recruitment and relations, and Tom Boecker, president/CEO of Wilson Memorial Hospital.

Stephens is entering into his senior year at Xavier University in Cincinnati where he is pursuing a degree in Natural Science, a major geared toward students who want to go on to medical school. While at Xavier, Stephens was the recipient of the St. Francis Xavier scholarship, which is awarded to the ten most qualified students and provides full-tuition for four years. He also was accepted into the highly competitive Research, Observation, Service and Education (ROSE) program at the University of Cincinnati - College of Medicine. This program provides a two year summer research internship as well as a seat in their medical school dependent upon obtaining high scores on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).  Stephens has already full-filled this requirement but plans to re-take the MCAT because he feels he can score even higher.

Stephens is active in a variety of clubs and organizations including the Pre-Med Society at Xavier University, Students Taking Active Roles, intramural athletics, and Alternative Break. Stephens also volunteers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where he spends time with patients at the bedside.

The 2010 valedictorian of Fort Loramie High School, Stephens was a four-year member of the student council, serving as secretary his senior year. He also was a four-year letterman on the varsity football team and served as co-captain his senior year.

“My goal has always been to become a physician,” said Stephens. “However, as I reach ever closer to that goal, I have realized just how many different fields there are within medicine. I have shadowed an anesthesiologist, some psychiatrists and even some emergency medicine physicians. Each experience has only reassured me of my chosen career path in medicine.”

For information about the scholarship program, visit wilsonhealth.org. For information on how to make a donation to the Physician Memorial Scholarship Fund, please contact the medical staff office at (937) 498-5335, or mail your donation to Wilson Memorial Hospital, Attn: Medical Staff Office, 915 W. Michigan Street, Sidney, Ohio 45365. Please make checks payable to:  Wilson Memorial Hospital Medical Staff.  All donations are tax deductible.