Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Admissions team delivers talks on innovative Abigail Geisinger Scholars program
Talks at national and regional conferences share details on how GCSOM's program reduces student debt and encourages service to communities in need
Scranton, PA (02/22/2019) — Michelle Schmude, EdD, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine's (GCSOM) associate dean for admissions, enrollment management and financial aid and assistant professor, and Suzanne McNamara, director of financial aid, were invited to speak at three conferences about the school's innovative and purpose-driven Abigail Geisinger Scholars program.
Dr. Schmude and Ms. McNamara delivered a talk at the American Association of Medical Colleges' (AAMC) Health Professions Financial Aid Administrators conference in Savannah, Georgia. They were also invited to speak on the programat the Philadelphia local area network (LAN) meeting of the Northeast Association for Advisors for the Health Professions (NEAAHP). In addition, Dr. Schmude hosted a roundtable discussion at the AAMC's national meeting in Austin, Texas regarding the Abigail Geisinger Scholars program.
The Abigail Geisinger Scholars program, which named its first award recipients in January, is a unique approach to both reducing student debt and encouraging young doctors to practice in the communities that most need them. The purpose-driven program selects students through a competitive application process. Those chosen pay no tuition, in exchange for an obligation to work at Geisinger once they finish residency. Preference is given to students who express a desire to care for the communities Geisinger serves. Selection criteria includes demonstrated financial need, academic merit, diversity and predictors of whether the applicant is likely to stay in the region Geisinger serves.According to Dr. Scheinman, no fewer than 10 awards will be made annually, with an eye toward expanding the number of recipients in the coming years.
Dr. Schmude served on the Geisinger committee that designed the program and Ms. McNamara was instrumental in helping to identify the program's first beneficiaries.
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (Geisinger Commonwealth) is a member of the Geisinger family. Geisinger Commonwealth offers a community-based model of medical education with campuses in Danville, Doylestown, Scranton, Sayre and Wilkes-Barre. Geisinger Commonwealth offers Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) degrees. The college's innovative curriculum, focused on caring for people in the context of their lives and their community, attracts the next generation of physicians and scientists from within its 17-county region in northeastern and north central Pennsylvania, as well as from across the state and the nation. Geisinger Commonwealth is committed to non-discrimination in all employment and educational opportunities. Visit www.geisinger.edu/gcsom.
Media Attachments
Suzanne McNamara, director of financial aid at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Michelle Schmude, EdD, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s (GCSOM) associate dean for admissions, enrollment management and financial aid and assistant professor
