Diversity Group

Minority Scholarships & Educational Opportunities

Kim Martino Minority Scholarship 

This fund was established by Kim’s mother, the late Dr. Marlene O’Bryant-Seabrook, and the Division of Physical Therapy, in conjunction with the Association of Black Health Professionals, now known as SDLC (Student Diversity Leadership Council), to honor the memory of Kim O’Bryant-Martino, a beloved College of Health Professions Physical Therapy student from the May 2003 Class. This loving tribute captures the vital spirit of a young woman who inspired all those around her in roles as mother, student, friend, and confidant. Her life of generosity and dedication to her church, community, and profession is fondly remembered today.

Kim was a graduate of the High School of Charleston, the current site of the MUSC College of Health Professions. She attended the College of Charleston where she majored in Early Childhood Education. Not only was Kim a full-time physical therapy student at MUSC College of Health Professions during her untimely death in 2003, she was a mother and confidant to her classmates.

The objective of the scholarship is to offer financial assistance to a current, full-time, underrepresented minority student in the College of Health Professions. The Office of Student Engagement will notify all students when the scholarship cycles open each semester. 

Criteria

  • Enrolled full-time in a program with at least one additional semester to complete
  • Underrepresented minority student
  • Academic performance
  • Demonstrated leadership and/or community service  

Term Awarded: Spring 

Award Amount: $1,000

Graduate Incentive Scholarship

Based on availability each year, the MUSC Office of Student Diversity may allot monies to be awarded to underrepresented minority students with financial need. The Office of Student Engagement will notify all eligible students in the College of Health Professions of the application process and the qualifications to be considered. Students are required to sign a promissory note agreeing to work in SC for at least one year or repay the loan.

Criteria

  • Enrolled full-time in a program with at least one additional semester to complete
  • US citizen
  • SC resident
  • Underrepresented minority student (African American, Hispanic, American Indian)
  • GPA 3.0 or better
  • Financial need 

Term awarded: Spring

Award amount: *$5000.00 (current and future award amounts can vary depending on the available funding)

Mary Eileen Leonard Scholarship

The Mary Eileen Leonard Scholarship is focused on the recruitment of incoming URM students accepted into the College of Health Professions programs. Students do not apply for this scholarship, each year all programs will be able to select one incoming student to nominate for this scholarship.

Award amount: $2,000

CHP Underrepresented Minority (URM) Alumni Affairs Endowed Scholarship

This fund was established in 2021 as a gift to the College of Health Professions from the MUSC Alumni Affairs Office. The primary intent of the endowment is to provide scholarships for underrepresented minority students in any of the CHP programs. The scholarship award is jointly managed by the CHP Alumni Council and the CHP Scholarship Committee.

Criteria

  • Applicants from any College of Health Professions academic program can apply
  • Underrepresented minority student
  • Financial Need
  • Submit a resume

Term awarded: Spring

Award amount: $2,000

South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (SC AHEC) Summer Careers Academy

The SC AHEC Summer Careers Academy is presented by the SC AHEC in collaboration with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Nursing, Dental Medicine, Medicine, Health Professions, Pharmacy, MUSC Library, and the Southeastern Virtual Institute for Health Equity and Wellness. The Academy is a one-week summer program designed to help minority and disadvantaged students prepare for entry into nursing, dental, medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, and occupational therapy education training programs within South Carolina. All applicants must be a South Carolina resident or enrolled in a South Carolina school, college or university and meet other eligibility requirements.

Academy Fellows will take part in a week of clinical and didactic sessions on the campus of the Medical University of South Carolina. Classroom lectures and project topics will focus on several health disparities prevalent among South Carolinians. Housing and meals are provided and fellows will receive a stipend of $200 with the successful completion of the Academy. More information may be found by visiting the SC AHEC website at South Carolina AHEC Scholars.