Association of Black Cardiologists Awards Over $125,000 in Scholarships to Promising Minority Medical Students

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) will award scholarships to fifteen minority medical students from across the country. This marks the second year the organization has given out a record number of scholarships aimed at promoting diversity in medicine and supporting aspiring medical professionals. Of the students selected this year, five will receive the Dr. Richard Allen Williams Scholarship for Medical Students and ten have been chosen to receive the ABC/Biosense Webster Scholarship for Medical Students.

ABC established the first scholarship for medical students of color in 1984, named after its founder, Dr. Williams, as part of its workforce diversity initiatives to support future cardiologists. Since then, two other scholarship categories have been introduced: the Dr. Richard Allen Williams & Genita Evangelista Johnson / ABC Scholarship (2014), which is awarded through the American Medical Association, and the ABC/Biosense Webster Scholarship (2022). The scholarships are conferred annually to provide recipients with tuition assistance. To date, over 70 medical students have received scholarships through the three award programs.

"This year's scholarship recipients have demonstrated remarkable dedication and promise in their pursuit of a career in healthcare," said ABC President Dr. Anekwe Onwuanyi. "They represent the bright future of cardiovascular medicine, embodying the values and commitment to diversity and excellence that ABC and its partners represent."

A list of the newly awarded 2023 scholars can be found here.

Data suggests that diversity and representation in health care contributes to improved health outcomes for patients from these communities. However, while Black and Hispanic individuals account for 13% and 17% of the population respectively, fewer than 3% and 5% of cardiologists are Black or Hispanic, according to a 2019 "Brief Report" in JAMA Cardiology. Additionally, a report from the Association of American Medical Colleges (2019) found that less than 4% of medical school faculty are Black.

For nearly 50 years, ABC has been committed to cultivating transparent and feasible pathways to cardiology for individuals who possess the aptitude and interest in pursuing a career as a physician through various programs and initiatives. These programs have catered to a wide range of participants, from middle school students to newly appointed faculty members. This aligns with ABC's ultimate goal to improve the health status, both cardiovascular and overall, for Blacks and other disadvantaged minorities, while improving access to high-quality health care.

"The scholarships aim not only to alleviate the financial burden of medical education but also to empower these individuals to become the leaders and change-makers of tomorrow's healthcare landscape," said ABC CEO Cassandra McCullough.

Scholarships will be conferred to 2023 recipients during ABC's 14th Annual Spirit of the Heart Awards & Fundraiser on Saturday, October 28, 2023. The awards are made possible through the generous support of ABC members, corporate and organizational partners, and the annual fundraiser. ABC is honored to work with Biosense Webster to advance special pipeline programs such as the scholarship for medical students and PULSE, ABC's annual STEM retreat for high school and undergraduate students which takes place on Friday, October 27 at 12 PM EST in Atlanta, GA.

The Spirit of the Heart Awards program is a prestigious annual event where scholarship winners and other distinguished honorees are celebrated for their outstanding achievements in cardiovascular medicine. This year's celebration, themed "Preserving Our Legacy, Advancing Health Equity," will take place at The Whitley, 3434 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA. For tickets and more information, visit abcardioevents.org or abcardio.org.

About ABC
Founded in 1974, the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. (ABC) is a nonprofit organization with an international membership of over 2,000 health professionals, lay members of the community (Community Health Advocates), corporate members, and institutional members. The ABC is dedicated to eliminating the disparities related to cardiovascular disease in all people of color. Today, ABC's public and private partnerships continue to increase its impact in communities across the nation. For more information, visit www.abcardio.org and connect with ABC on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Association of Black Cardiologists