The POMA Foundation offers several scholarships to osteopathic students and residents. Interested and eligible applicants are encouraged to apply. Please contact Tammy Keller, POMA Governance Specialist, for more information - (717) 939-9318 x130 or email [email protected].

Status: The application window is currently closed.
(Application deadline details for 2026 are forthcoming.)

Scholarships Open to Residents & Students

Spirit of Volunteerism
This scholarship is intended to affirm and recognize the efforts of osteopathic students and/or residents who have donated their time and effort as a medical volunteer beyond that which is usually accomplished as a medical student or resident.

Michael F. Avallone, Sr., DO Scholarship for Outstanding Advocacy
This scholarship is designed to affirm the recipient’s participation in a variety of Osteopathic Organizations on a national and state level by their leadership and commitment to those organizations.

A.T. Still, DO Osteopathic Skills and Knowledge
This scholarship is meant to honor a student or resident who exemplifies superior knowledge and interest in Osteopathic Manipulation, the theories that govern it, and the will to preserve the tenets of osteopathic medicine.

Diversity in Health Outreach
Effective medical education incorporates a global and multicultural perspective as populations become increasingly diverse. This scholarship is designed to honor a student or resident who has done exceptional outreach to populations that are considered to have significant health disparities due to race, gender, sexual orientation, or economic status.

• Must be a citizen of Pennsylvania and a member of POMA.
• Must be enrolled as a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th-year osteopathic medical student, or be a resident in a Pennsylvania-affiliated residency program with Osteopathic educators.

Scholarships Open to Students

POMAF Merit Scholarship
This scholarship for medical students is designed to help defray the cost of medical school and personal financial hardships.

Promoting Health through Original Projects
This scholarship is intended to honor a student who has designed and implemented a project to promote a health initiative, either through the education of a group or through a unique idea.

Alfred A. Grilli, DO Scholarship
Created to honor a distinguished member of POMA who served in a number of key leadership roles, the scholarships are available to individuals who resided in Western Pennsylvania prior to entering an AOA approved College of Osteopathic Medicine.

• Must be a citizen of Pennsylvania and a member of POMA.
• Must be enrolled as a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th-year osteopathic medical student.
  

Requirements:

• A completed application. (Please only apply for one scholarship.)
  
• An essay of approximately 500 words explaining why you feel you are the best candidate for the scholarship you are applying for. This essay is extremely important.
• A copy of your current curriculum vitae (CV).
• Two letters of recommendation: One to two of which may be from a faculty member of your medical school, a letter from your Program Director is also acceptable.
• Application deadline details for 2026 are forthcoming. Please check back for the official deadline and announcement timeline.

Congratulations to all 2025 scholarship recipients!

Spirit of Volunteerism
Corey Brisseau, OMS - PCOM
Zachary Weisner, DO - Jefferson Health Northeast EM/IM

Michael F. Avallone, Sr., DO Scholarship for Outstanding Advocacy
Christina Shawdy Sedaghat, DO - Penn State Health St. Joseph's Family and Community Medicine

A.T. Still, DO Osteopathic Skills and Knowledge
Emily Andrews, OMS - PCOM
Cassandra Holub, OMS - LECOM

Diversity in Health Outreach
Arianne Abreu, OMS - PCOM
Andrew Abdelmalak, OMS - NYITCOM

POMA Foundation Merit Scholarship
Ryan Murphy, OMS - PCOM 

Promoting Health through Original Advocacy
Inman Elkhashab, OMS - PCOM

Alfred A. Grilli, DO Scholarship
Vincent Vozzella, OMS - PCOM