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The Thomas B. McClelland (TBM) Trust Scholarship Pinning Ceremony celebrated a remarkable milestone with a touch of gold.
The Rotary Club of Miami has awarded over $1 million in scholarships to FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine students! To celebrate the occasion, the Rotary presented scholarship recipients with golden million-dollar commemorative bills, and one of the gold notes was encased in a plaque that was presented to FIU Medicine Dean Dr. Juan Cendan.
“It’s very exciting,” said Diane Landsberg, president of the Rotary Club of Miami. “FIU students are truly deserving. We see their impressive MCAT scores and academic achievements, but when you get to know them, you realize their character makes them even more special.”
View photos from the pinning ceremony
The Rotary first awarded the TBM scholarship to a single FIU medical student in 2009. That $2,000 award marked the beginning of an extraordinary commitment by the Rotary to support FIU medical students. Fifteen years later, that commitment has exceeded the million-dollar mark and benefited 339 FIU students, including this year’s 46 recipients.
The impact of these scholarships cannot be overstated. Medical school presents a significant financial burden, with 84% of young doctors graduating with an average debt surpassing $200,000, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.
“These scholarships enable students to focus on their studies and training without the weight of overwhelming debt. This is especially transformative for students from low-income communities,” said Cendan.
To understand the financial need in our community, consider this: 24% of FIU medical students qualify for the AAMC Fee Assistance Program, which helps cover the cost of applying to medical school. Eligibility for this program is based on poverty guidelines, underscoring just how many students rely on financial aid to afford a medical education.
Additionally, a quarter of FIU medical students are the first in their families to attend college, navigating new financial challenges while balancing academic and family responsibilities.
But the TBM scholarship isn’t just about financial assistance. It’s also a recognition of students’ academic achievements and commitment to serving their communities.
Karla Santoyo, a third-year medical student and aspiring family medicine physician, has been a recipient of the TBM Scholarship for three consecutive years. She considers the Rotary’s support an honor and a privilege. “Time is something you can’t buy, and this scholarship allows me to focus on my studies and become the best physician I can be for my future patients,” she said. “I look forward to paying this privilege forward and supporting medical students just as I have been supported.”
The scholarship’s namesake, the late Thomas B. McClelland, was a professional horticulturist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a dedicated Rotary Club of Miami member. He established a scholarship fund through his will to support medical students who graduate from a Miami-Dade high school.
The fund is managed by Landsberg and Miami Rotary treasurer Phil Seipp, who were both honored with appreciation awards for their continued commitment and support. Dean Cendan thanked them and the Rotary “for believing in our students and their potential.”
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Miami, FL 33199
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medcomms@fiu.edu
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