DuPage Medical Society Foundation names scholarship and grant award winners
The DuPage Medical Society Foundation board of trustees announces the awarding of 11 2019 student scholarships.
• Elina Pliakos of Elmhurst is the 2019 recipient of the prestigious James P. Campbell, MD, Memorial Scholarship.
Pliakos won a full academic scholarship to Brown University for her college education and is now entering her second year of study at the Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. As an undergraduate, Pliakos excelled as a clinical study coordinator in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brown, and is the co-author of 10 papers published in peer-reviewed journals. She has strong interest in reducing health care inequalities and in finding ways to make care delivery more efficient and affordable.
The James P. Campbell, MD, Memorial Scholarship was established in 1998 to honor the memory of a distinguished DuPage County physician who for 60 years was also a great advocate for organized medicine. He served the DuPage County Medical Society and other branches of organized medicine in many ways, but most significantly as the society's secretary-treasurer for 29 years. Recipients of the James P. Campbell, MD, Memorial Scholarship must exhibit an outstanding academic background and extraordinary potential for a future in medicine.
• Sean Harnik of Downers Grove is awarded the 2019 William B. Frymark Sr., MD, Honorary Scholarship. Drawn toward medicine from childhood experiences as a patient, Harnik spent several years volunteering at Good Samaritan and Central DuPage Hospitals. His strong intellectual curiosity saw him ranked at the top of his class in both high school and at the University of Miami, yet it is the sense of care and empathy demonstrated by his extracurricular activities that especially impress. He has begun his graduate studies at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
The William B. Frymark, MD, Honorary Scholarship is a tribute to one of the foundation's founders who, in the ensuing half century, has remained a dedicated supporter and steward of the organization. Doctor Frymark served many terms as a trustee and president of the foundation's board. He also held many leadership positions with the DuPage County Medical Society. Recipients of the William B. Frymark, MD, Honorary Scholarship demonstrate superior academic ability, a commitment to service, and great potential as a health care service provider.
In awarding grants, trustees show no preference for nor prejudice against former recipients.
Other 2019 scholarship recipients are as follows:
• Sarah Baniewicz, Naperville, Physical Therapy
• Yash Bhatia, West Chicago, Medicine
• Laura Burns, Naperville, Medicine
• Mary Kenny, Glen Ellyn, Medicine
• Lisa Laurenzana, Lombard, Medicine
• Kathryn McLeland, West Chicago, Physical Therapy
• Kovas Polikaitis, Downers Grove, Medicine
• Abhishek Sethi, Naperville, Medicine
• Andrew Tran, Glen Ellyn, Medicine
"Once again, we had an outstanding group of student applicants," said Foundation president Dr. Lanny F. Wilson, MD. "Out of respect and appreciation for our generous donors, the foundation takes seriously the evaluation of each candidate based upon needs and merits. In so doing, we hope to steward our philanthropic resources wisely as we support future health professionals and the future of health care in America."
Each year, the DuPage Medical Society Foundation awards 100 percent of the funds received from contributors. Including this year's grants, the foundation has awarded over $404,500 in student scholarships.
For information, visit www.dcmsdocs.org/foundation.