DuPage Medical Society Foundation names scholarship grant awards

The DuPage Medical Society Foundation board of trustees announces the awarding of 25 student scholarships for 2025.

Venkatsai “Shri” Bellala, Aurora, has been named the recipient of the prestigious James P. Campbell, M.D., Memorial Scholarship for 2025. Shri holds an undergraduate degree in engineering and turned to medicine after dealing with his own chronic medical condition. He aims to combine his experiences in biomedical engineering with his medical training.

In his application, he wrote, “My pursuit of an M.D. is rooted in a deep commitment to integrating scientific exploration with compassionate medical care. As I continue my medical education, I will focus on honing my clinical skills and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams of clinicians and engineers to bring innovative breakthroughs to the bedside.”

The James P. Campbell, M.D., Memorial Scholarship was established in 1998 to honor the memory of a distinguished physician from DuPage County who dedicated 60 years to both medicine and advocacy for organized medicine. He served the DuPage County Medical Society and other branches of organized medicine in several capacities, most notably as the Society’s secretary-treasurer for 29 years. Recipients must demonstrate an outstanding academic background and exceptional potential for a future in medicine.

Sareena Shah, Bartlett, has been awarded the 2025 William B. Frymark, Sr., MD, Honorary Scholarship. Sareena is in the final year of a challenging six-year BA/MD program at the University of Missouri Kansas City. She has served on the executive boards of several campus organizations, including the Anesthesiology Interest Group, her chosen specialty, Roo’s on Call (a volunteering group), and Kansas City Miracle Makers, a group that hosts an annual dance marathon for various charities.

Sareena stated, “I have a strong desire to continue using my role as a future physician to improve the communities around me. My work with nonprofit organizations has been particularly informative in helping me recognize that being a physician is a tremendous responsibility with the potential to do significant good.”

The William B. Frymark Sr., M.D., Honorary Scholarship honors one of the foundation’s founders, who was a dedicated supporter and steward of the organization for over half a century. Frymark served multiple terms as a trustee and president of the foundation’s board and held various leadership positions with the DuPage County Medical Society. Recipients of this scholarship are expected to demonstrate superior academic ability, a commitment to service, and significant potential as health care providers.

The other recipients of the DuPage County Medical Society Foundation’s 2025 scholarships are as follows:

• Subul Ahmad, Aurora — Medicine

• Rushika Amin, Hanover Park — Osteopathic Medicine

• Kavya Anjur, Aurora — Medicine

• Avian Askew, Naperville — Nursing

• Brooke Bonta, Roselle — Osteopathic Medicine

• Jaladhija Chalichama, Aurora — Medicine

• Katy Flannery, Westmont — Osteopathic Medicine

• Lashawnda Floyd, Addison — Nursing

• Melissa Gibson, Glen Ellyn — Medicine

• Christina Harvey, Wheaton — Speech-Language Pathology

• Annaliesa Herbst, West Chicago — Nursing

• Baasit Jamal, Aurora — Medicine

• Susan Jeon, Lombard — Medicine

• Yanal Kawaleet, Lombard — Medicine

• Behrad Khamissi, Winfield — Dentistry

• Robert Luca, Burr Ridge — Medicine

• Mira Malavia, Aurora — Medicine

• Hamid Mohiuddin, Lombard — Medicine

• Jacquelyn Nguyen, Carol Stream — Medicine

• Natalia Nikolic, Oak Brook — Osteopathic Medicine

• Julie Paska, Roselle — Medicine/Master of Public Health

• Vir Patel, Woodridge — Medicine

• Ann Seward, Wheaton — Nursing

“Once again, we had an outstanding group of student applicants,” said Foundation president Lanny F. Wilson, MD. “In honoring our generous donors, the Foundation takes the evaluation of each candidate seriously based on both need and merit. In this way, we aim to manage our philanthropic resources wisely as we support future health professionals and the care of health in America.”

Each year, the DuPage Medical Society Foundation awards local students 100% of the funds received from contributors. With this year’s grants included, the Foundation has awarded over $546,050 in student scholarships.