Class of 2025 Scholarship Recipients
Brianna Blake
I am Brianna Blake a rising 2nd year matriculating in the class of 2025 at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. I am a first-generation college graduate in which I received my degree in both biology and in biochemistry and molecular biology with a minor informatics from the nation’s first-degree granting Historically Black College and University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. I am passionate about closing the gap for health literacy in minority youth, serving underserved populations and promoting women’s cardiac health. I currently have strong interests in surgery and interventional cardiology. Since my sophomore year of undergrad, I have experienced the warmth of the UPSOM faculty/staff as they established a pipeline to medicine through the summer premedical academic enrichment program. Through those experiences I recognized Pitt Med was where I needed to be to further my medical career as they are committed to increasing positive relationships with the surrounding communities, grooming culturally competent physicians and promote abundant resources for their students to blossom in research. With the honorable donations from the MAA this scholarship has given me the financial support in this journey to break free financial constraints and to pursue the limitless possibilities of all that medicine has to offer.
Soukaina Eljamri
My name is Soukaina Eljamri and I am a first-year medical student in the Class of 2025. I was born in Rabat, Morocco and grew up in the Poconos in northeast Pennsylvania. I am also a proud Pitt alum, where I studied Anthropology. My clinical interests are in surgery, with a focus on addressing disparities in surgical care and barriers to access. I was drawn to Pitt Med for its strong clinical education and emphasis on a patient-centered and innovative approach to medicine. It is truly an honor to learn the art of medicine each day from some of the most distinguished leaders in the field. Pitt Med also stood out to me in its culture of mentorship, which has been evident since my very first day in LR1. Each and every faculty member makes an intentional effort to cultivate the passions and interests of students by offering their time and guidance to nurturing the next generation of physicians. Outside of my studies, I am also deeply invested in community service and currently lead the Pittsburgh branch of a nonprofit organization focused on combatting food insecurity. Service work offers an invaluable perspective on the world and is essential to my development into a well-rounded and socially competent physician. The MAA’s generosity has lifted some of the financial burden of being a medical student and allowed me to have the capacity to continue investing in my personal growth through service work and focusing on all the educational opportunities Pitt Med has to offer, without distraction. I am beyond grateful for this generous scholarship and for the opportunity to connect with a network of Pitt Med Alum who will continue to support me on this journey.