Two rising fourth-year medical students in the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine (CoM) have been recognized among the nation’s most promising future physicians.
Delia Sosa and Lauren Schaffer were recently awarded the Physicians of Tomorrow scholarship from the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation, an honor that provides $10,000 in tuition assistance to medical students entering their final year of training. Selected from a highly competitive applicant pool, both students were recognized for their academic excellence, leadership, service and vision for advancing compassionate, equitable health care.
Delia Sosa
Delia Sosa was selected for the AMA Foundation’s David Jones Peck, MD, Scholarship for Health Equity — an honor awarded to medical students dedicated to advancing access to care and dismantling systemic barriers within health care.
“When I found out I was selected, I was in shock,” they said. “There are so many incredible medical students doing meaningful work across the country. Being chosen for this award was one of the most humbling and affirming experiences of my medical school journey.”
Sosa’s commitment to medicine was shaped early on by their mother, a labor and delivery nurse who specialized in high-risk pregnancies — and was a high-risk patient herself.
“She was born with spina bifida meningocele and wasn’t expected to have children,” Sosa shared. “When she became pregnant with me, her story became part of her teaching, helping future providers understand the human side of medicine. Her example inspired me to advocate for patients and become a lifelong educator.”
At the UC College of Medicine, Sosa has found ways to combine their interests in clinical care, education and systems-level advocacy.
“I’ve discovered how much I love teaching,” they said. “I want to help the next generation of health care professionals deliver compassionate, individualized care. Medicine isn’t just about diagnosing and treating — it’s about listening and understanding.”
Sosa is involved in numerous organizations that reflect their passions and leadership in the field, including the Medical Education Medical Student Scholars Program, UC CoM Pride, the OB/GYN Interest Group, Latino Medical Student Association, UC CoM American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Association and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio.
They plan to pursue obstetrics and gynecology and are considering a reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) fellowship in the future. Their goal is to support patients in all stages of family building and reproductive health, and to foster clinical environments where everyone feels seen, respected and well cared for.
Receiving the Physicians of Tomorrow scholarship is particularly meaningful to Sosa, who is the first in their family to pursue a doctoral or medical degree.
“Getting to share this achievement with my family, especially after navigating so much of the journey on my own, means everything," they said. "It’s a reminder that hard work and persistence matter.”
Sosa credits several faculty mentors for shaping their medical school experience.
“Sarah Pickle, MD, associate professor of clinical in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and Division of Medical Education director, and Shanna Stryker, MD, assistant professor of clinical in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, have supported me since day one. They’ve been phenomenal mentors, both professionally and personally. Heather Christensen, PhD, professor-educator in the Department of Medical Education, and Aaron Marshall, PhD, professor-educator in the Department of Medical Education, have encouraged my love of teaching. Jane Morris, MD, assistant professor of clinical and Dr. Clarence R. McLain Endowed Chair for Medical Student Education in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Maureen Downing, DO, assistant professor of clinical in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; and Natalie Cassady, program manager in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, welcomed me into the OB/GYN community and pushed me to grow.”
Looking ahead, Sosa hopes to continue working at the intersection of medicine and medical education, helping to shape thoughtful, well-rounded physicians. Whether they become a generalist or subspecialist, they envision building clinical spaces that prioritize empathy, excellence and patient partnership.
“I’m so grateful to my mentors, friends and especially my family,” they said. “This award reflects not just my efforts, but the support of so many people who believed in me. I hope I can continue paying that forward.”
Lauren Schaffer
For Lauren Schaffer, being selected for the AMA Foundation’s Physicians of Tomorrow scholarship was an unforgettable and affirming moment in the middle of a busy clinical day.
Schaffer found out she’d been selected while in the hospital between operating room cases.
“I was honestly in shock,” she said. “I had to step out to collect myself and call my parents. All I could think was how much lighter I felt entering M4 with some of the financial stress relieved. I pretty much floated through the rest of the day, albeit with a very high heart rate!”
Schaffer originally pursued medicine because it combined her love of problem-solving, science and human connection.
“It felt like the only career that merged my talents and interests: altruism, anatomy, artistry,” she said. “But my time at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine has deepened that vision. It’s not just the abstract ideas anymore — it’s the family members who stay by their loved one’s side, the nurses who advocate tirelessly and the satisfaction of truly helping someone heal. All of those real-world experiences have made my purpose clearer and more focused.”
As she began her journey at UC, she was interested in neurosurgery — but after much reflection, she made the decision earlier this year to pursue OB/GYN.
“They’re very different fields, but both resonate with me deeply,” she said. “My hope is to strengthen my surgical skills in residency and work with patients navigating high-risk pregnancies. I also want to continue exploring how neurologic conditions, like intracranial aneurysms, uniquely affect women.”
Professionally, Schaffer sees the AMA scholarship as a powerful endorsement of her dedication to medicine. Personally, it’s a symbol of the support that will allow her to focus fully on her final year.
“This award gives me peace of mind,” she said. “It’s not just about tuition. It means I won’t have to choose as carefully what to buy at the grocery store or how many second looks I can attend. It’s a step toward financial freedom. And it’s something I’m really proud of.”
Schaffer credits several mentors within the College of Medicine for shaping her journey, including Heather Christensen, PhD, professor-educator in the Department of Medical Education and director of the Teaching in Medicine Elective (TiME), and Sheena Boury, MD, a family medicine physician she worked with closely during her M1–M3 years.
“They’ve both invested time and energy into helping me grow, and their guidance has meant the world,” she said.
She also fondly remembers her time as a Student Orientation Leader (SOL).
“Helping new medical students transition into school, working long hours alongside other SOLs, and reflecting on how far I’d come — it was incredibly rewarding,” she said. “It reminded me why I chose medicine and why I chose UC.”
Looking ahead, Schaffer envisions a career in generalist OB/GYN practice, with a particular focus on obstetrics. She hopes to support patients through the full arc of family building and reproductive care, especially those navigating complex health challenges. Equally important to her is continuing her role as a mentor and teacher.
“I’ve always found joy in helping others succeed,” she said. “Whether it’s guiding medical students or advocating for policy improvements, I want to make a lasting impact on those who come after me.”
Schaffer is especially grateful to her parents, James and Lynn Schaffer, for their unwavering encouragement and belief in her dreams.
“They taught me to work hard, be patient and lean into faith during tough times,” she said. “Everything I’ve achieved has been possible because of their love and guidance.”
As recipients of the Physicians of Tomorrow scholarship, both Sosa and Schaffer join a distinguished cohort of future physicians committed to shaping the future of medicine through advocacy, education and clinical excellence. Their stories are a reflection not only of their individual achievements, but also of the College of Medicine’s commitment to cultivating leaders who will transform health care in Ohio and beyond.
Featured image at top: Exterior of the College of Medicine’s CARE/Crawley Building.
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Two UC College of Medicine students, Delia Sosa and Lauren Schaffer, have been awarded the prestigious AMA Foundation Physicians of Tomorrow scholarship, recognizing their leadership, advocacy and vision for the future of health care.
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2600 Clifton Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45220
513-556-0000
© 2025 University of Cincinnati
