| Tucson Osteopathic Medical Foundation We operate programs that produce significant advances |
Scholarships | 2026-2027 Founders’ Scholarship Applications Are Now Open |
The Founders’ Scholarships honor the osteopathic physicians who founded Tucson General Hospital. Faced with barriers to practicing medicine in Tucson, these physicians created new opportunities through leadership, innovation and a commitment to their community.
Today, TOMF continues that legacy by supporting future osteopathic physicians with meaningful ties to Southern Arizona and an interest in practicing in the region. The scholarships are intended to help ease the financial burden of medical school while encouraging the same spirit of leadership and innovation in the next generation of DOs.
Up to five $10,000 scholarships will be awarded in late January, 2027.
Eligibility
Applicants must be third-year osteopathic medical students who:
- Have lived in Southern Arizona for a cumulative minimum of two years prior to medical school.
- Have completed, be completing, or be scheduled for at least one third-year clinical rotation in Southern Arizona.
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 or be in good academic standing at a pass/fail school.
- Do not have both tuition and living expenses fully funded by an outside source.
Students may attend any accredited U.S. college of osteopathic medicine.
Application deadline: December 14, 2026
The online application includes complete eligibility information, application requirements and the 2026-2027 essay prompt. All applications and required materials must be submitted through the online form.
Questions? Contact Nicole Struck, Executive Director, at nicole@tomf.org
2024-2025 Founders' Scholarship Recipients
Expand each dropdown to read more about each scholarship recipient.
I was born and raised in the state of Arizona, spending most of my childhood and adolescent years in Payson, AZ. Following high school, I attended and graduated from Arizona Western College in Yuma and the University of Arizona in Tucson. After returning home from a two-year church service mission in Baltimore, MD in 2018, I married my wife, Tiana, and spent the first two and a half years of our marriage back in Tucson. During that time, I worked as a medical scribe at St. Joseph's and St. Mary's Emergency Departments. I also coached middle school boys' basketball, volleyball, and track and field at St. Cyril of Alexandria School prior to COVID-19 hitting our community. In 2021, I became a clinical lead for vaccination efforts at the University of Arizona that helped provide over 400,000 vaccination doses to the community. I was later hired to be a clinical coordinator in vaccination efforts in more underserved areas of Tucson, as well as other areas in Pima and Pinal County. Later that year, we moved just outside of Chicago where I completed a master's degree at Midwestern University and was accepted into medical school at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. I was voted by my peers to be Vice President of our cohort and now currently serve as Class President. In 2024, I became the osteopathic medical student representative on the board of directors for the National Residency Matching Program, where I continue to serve today. |
Before medical school, I worked as a medical scribe, witnessing firsthand the challenges patients face in navigating healthcare. My passion for service grew through leadership roles in nonprofits and education, including mentoring underserved youth at YMCA Camp and fostering inclusive communities in residence life at Gonzaga University, where I earned a B.S. in Biochemistry. I later pursued an M.S. in Biomedical Diagnostics at Arizona State University. In medical school, I've taken on leadership roles to advocate for peers and advance osteopathic medicine. As Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) Foundation's Director of Fundraising, I help secure scholarships for osteopathic students. This year, as SOMA's Director of OPP and Wellness, I'll work to advance discussion of Osteopathic principles. I've also served as a leader of multiple student groups and been a mentor to high school STEM students through Aspen Institute's Our Future Is Science program. My clinical and research experiences drive my commitment to healthcare equity. At El Rio Community Health Center, I care for patients with limited access to medical care, learning to bridge gaps in trust and understanding. Presenting my research on trauma informed care, osteopathic hypertension management, and the Latina physician shortage has allowed me to contribute to national conversations on systemic disparities. Beyond the clinic, I remain dedicated to community service, volunteering with Project C.U.R.E., Ben's Bells, the Nutrition and Health Awareness Program, and street medicine outreach. |
My name is Jumana Roufail, and I am from Rancho Cucamonga, California. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and Society from UCLA, graduating with honors. This interdisciplinary major deepened my understanding of the connection between medicine, public health, and the social determinants of health, shaping my passion for patient advocacy and community service. At Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, I have actively pursued opportunities to expand my clinical and leadership skills. As President of the Medicine-Pediatrics Interest Club and a board member of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association, I have organized educational initiatives and hands-on learning experiences to support my peers. My volunteer work at the Asylum Center Clinic has allowed me to serve vulnerable populations, bridging language barriers and advocating for equitable healthcare access. I have also engaged in research, co-authoring a study on heart rate variability in relation to osteopathic manipulation and vagus nerve stimulation. Additionally, I have contributed to a gastrointestinal surgical case report and a retrospective study on pediatric and adult ESRD patients. Currently, I am interested in pursuing Pediatrics, where I hope to integrate my passion for mentorship, advocacy, and holistic care. I am eager to build lasting relationships with patients and their families, fostering trust and empowerment in their healthcare journeys. I look forward to the lifelong learning, personal growth, and joy that a career in Pediatrics will bring. |