Kettering Health, Ohio University surprise 39 medical students with first year scholarships

What began as a mysterious invitation from the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine turned into an unforgettable surprise for 39 incoming medical students and their families just moments before the college's annual Convocation and White Coat Ceremony.

Leaders from Ohio University and Kettering Health revealed that the students' first year of medical school tuition would be fully funded through a new scholarship initiative designed to support students who have strong ties to southwest Ohio and to strengthen the region's future physician workforce.

The announcement, delivered by Kettering Health Chief Medical Officer R. Shaen Harvey, M.D., drew immediate emotional reactions from students and family members, many of whom had arrived expecting only a pre-ceremony gathering.

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"We were just joking around like, 'Oh, is this a scholarship?'" said Naa Deede Attoh, an incoming Athens campus student from Cincinnati. "But when he landed with that, that was crazy. That's beyond so kind. That's a blessing, and I'm so grateful. I can't even process it."

Attoh attended the event alongside her mother and grandmother. Her mother, Irene Boy-Doe, called the scholarship "a prayer come true."

Jeremy Huiet of Loveland said students knew something important was being announced but had little indication of what was coming.

"I was kind of wondering what they were being so cryptic about," Huiet said. "You never expect that you're essentially going to get a  scholarship just by sitting in a room. It’s amazing. All the good adjectives come to mind…It just lifts such a burden off of the already expensive price tag associated with medical school."

Huiet said the significance of the news did not immediately sink in.

"One of my first reactions was, 'Oh my God, I have to call my financial advisor,'" he said. "We've got to figure out our plans now that we've had a really good change."

His mother, Kristine Huiet, said the scholarship substantially reduces the family's concerns about future debt.

"When we calculated out what the debt [for medical school] was going to be, it's very scary," she said. "To know now that a nice chunk of that is gone, it's incredible. It very much relieves the burden and the pressure."

Owen Spencer, an incoming Athens campus student from the Cincinnati area, called the scholarship “a blessing,” adding that he was especially glad his family could be with him to hear the announcement. 

"I was having some heart palpitations," Spencer said. " I couldn't believe it."

Spencer said the financial support will help him pursue his goal of becoming a pediatrician.

"It puts me in a position to follow my passion in life," he said. "My wife just moved from Charleston, South Carolina, up here, so finances are very tight. It helps us have some breathing room."

His wife, Belle Spencer, said the couple had been closely evaluating financial aid options before the announcement.

"We've been looking into financial aid and trying to figure out how we're going to work through everything," she said. "It's so nice to see all this hard work paying off."

Sarah Spencer, Owen's mother, described the scholarship as an unexpected gift for the family.

"To have our kid back in state for medical school and then to get to be a part of having him celebrated and the scholarship, it's more than we could have dreamed of," she said.

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The nearly $2 million in scholarships that were announced are part of a broader effort by Ohio University and Kettering Health to address physician workforce shortages in southwest Ohio while reducing financial barriers that can influence where future physicians choose to train and practice.

During the surprise event, Jennifer Gwilym, D.O. (’03), interim senior dean of the Heritage College, said the institution is committed to supporting students throughout their medical education.

"By providing students with every possible support, including monetary support, we aim to give them freedom to focus on what matters the most — learning, serving others and becoming the exceptional physicians our and your communities need," Gwilym said.

The announcement culminated when Harvey informed the students in the room that they would receive a full first-year tuition scholarship.

"Together, Kettering and HCOM are committed to investing in the next generation of physicians — students who have strong ties to the communities they aspire to serve," Harvey said. "This scholarship is designed to strengthen the physician workforce in southwest Ohio by supporting students who have demonstrated a commitment to the region."

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Harvey said recipients were selected based on their geographic ties to communities that are priorities for both organizations.

"We hope that the scholarship helps shape your medical school journey, perhaps lifts a little bit of that financial stress that helps you focus on the academics, serving each other and your patients, and we look forward to watching you grow into the compassionate physicians and leaders that we know you will be,” said Harvey.

In addition to the 39 incoming students receiving awards this year, nine second-year students have received scholarship renewal offers. Those students were part of an earlier surprise announcement in May. At that time, Harvey told 14 Heritage College graduates who had matched into Kettering Health residency programs that the scholarship program would be covering their fourth year of medical school tuition. In addition, nine first-year students were notified that they were receiving a scholarship.

To remain eligible, the scholarship recipients must maintain good academic standing. Second-year scholarship recipients must commit to completing their third- and fourth-year clinical training within the Kettering Health system. 

University leaders said the scholarship program reflects an expanding partnership between Ohio University and Kettering Health that extends beyond financial support. The organizations recently announced a major strategic partnership focused on expanding clinical education opportunities, strengthening the physician pipeline and improving health outcomes across southwest Ohio.

"Our partnership with Kettering goes back to our founding 50 years ago and that has accelerated dramatically over the last three years," said Ken Johnson, D.O., Ohio University's vice president for Health Affairs and senior strategist for health partnerships.

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Leaders from both organizations said the partnership is built around a shared commitment to community-based, whole-person care. Harvey noted that Kettering Health's mission and culture closely align with osteopathic medicine's emphasis on treating the whole person and improving the health of communities.

"By investing directly in students, we are removing financial barriers and enabling future osteopathic physicians to follow their calling of providing compassionate care where care is needed most," Johnson said.

As students departed the scholarship announcement for the White Coat Ceremony, many were still processing the unexpected news.

“I’m so thankful to Kettering as well as their commitment to the southwest Ohio area, where I’m from. I already had thoughts in my mind that I’d considered them heavily for a residency position. Their stock in my mind has just gone up a lot,” said Huiet. “I’m just super grateful to them and the entire university for their commitment, not only to each other as organizations but to us as students. It means a lot.”