POMAF Scholarships

The POMA Foundation offers several scholarships to osteopathic medical students and residents. Interested and eligible applicants are encouraged to apply. Please contact Angie Halaja-Henriques, Director of Foundation Affairs, at [email protected] or 717-939-9318 ext. 150.

Status: Opening soon! Deadline March 15, 2026

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Students: Must be a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year medical student from Pennsylvania; can be enrolled at a Pennsylvania osteopathic college of medicine or any osteopathic COM in the U.S. (driver’s license required to prove PA residency).
  • Residents: Must be enrolled at one of the 53 osteo-recognized residency programs in PA.

REQUIREMENTS

  • A complete application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
  • You may apply for one scholarship.
  • Students must provide a PA driver's license as proof of residency.
  • A copy of your current curriculum vita (CV).
  • An essay of approximately 500 words as to why you feel you are the best candidate for the scholarship for which you are applying. This essay is extremely important.
  • Two letters of recommendation. Letters from faculty or your program director are acceptable.
  • Be prepared to upload PDF versions of your CV, essay, and letters of recommendation. Students should also upload a copy of their driver's license.

RESIDENT & STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

A.T. Still, DO, Osteopathic Skills and Knowledge
This scholarship is meant to honor a student or resident that exemplifies a superior knowledge and interest in Osteopathic Manipulation, the theories that govern it, and the will to preserve the tenants 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 that has done exceptional outreach to populations that are considered to have significant health disparities due to race, gender, sexual orientation, or economic status.

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.

Spirit of Volunteerism
This scholarship is intended to affirm and recognize the efforts of osteopathic medical students 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.

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

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.

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 education of a group or through a unique idea.


 Congratulations to 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