b'WWW.MARSHALL.EDU/FOUNDATION An Inspiring InvestmentScholarships mean everything to me. I came to the United StatesDuring her time at Marshall, Ife hopes to gain the best education at the age of 16 to further my education. My parents supportedthat she can, while making strong, lasting connections with the me for my undergraduate degree with the help of scholarships.medical community. She is thankful for the research activities that My graduate degree has been funded mostly by jobs, loans andshe has conducted and the research presentations she has given scholarships, said Ife Fuwape, a recipient of the Touma Foundationacross the country. During the trying spring semester when virtual Scholarship. I was very excited to have received scholarships forlearning occurred, Ife found the best way for her to handle the stress my medical education and would like to say a huge thank you towas to keep trying her best.Drs. Touma for helping to relieve the financial burden of a medical education.I have definitely become more resilient and Originally from Ogun State, Nigeria, and graduating inpurposeful moving forward in my career 2021, Ife intends to pursuegoals. I have learned that there will be times of a residency in pathology. She chose to study at theuncertainty throughout life and I just have to Joan C. Edwards School ofmove forward daily, Ife said.Medicine (JCESOM) because the program aligned with her goal of serving underservedIn addition to her coursework, Ife is a member of the Student populations. As a student, sheNational Medical Association (SNMA) Virtual Pathology interest loves the family feeling thatgroup. She is currently the secretary of the SNMA Marshall students gain from the smallUniversity JCESOM chapter. Additionally, Ife is the vice president of classes at the JCESOM. Thesethe JCESOM International Health interest group, a member of the small classes promote one-on- pathology interest group and the inter-professional Health Senate one interactions with professorsclass representative for the Class of 2021. During her educational and attendings, which allows students to feel comfortable in theirjourney, Ife is most thankful that she has the privilege of gaining learning environment. Ife believes her greatest challenge as aan education. college student has been the physical distance between her and her family.I am thankful for my parents, who are in academia. My mother I am greatly influenced by a lot of experiences in the lives ofcame to the United States for a postgraduate research opportunity my loved ones. I have watched a friend die due to the lack ofand was so impressed by the experience that she paved the way adequate knowledge and resources for the diagnosis and treatmentfor her children to also get an education here, said Ife.of breast cancer in underserved populations. On the other end ofIn addition to the Touma Foundation Scholarship, Ife receives the the spectrum, I have observed competent health care providersErnest M. Walker, M.D. Memorial Scholarship, General Marshall with adequate resources provide excellent care to my mother,University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Scholarship and the helping her thorough various surgeries and complications. I observeJoan C. Edwards Charitable Foundation Scholarship. She is thankful and continue to attest to several patients that struggle and end upfor alumni who give back and encourage students. with a lot of success stories. These experiences have continued to drive and motivate me to be a physician that would help people,It is important for alumni to give back, not only to relieve financial communities and populations with minimal or no access to healthburdens, but also to inspire medical students. When medical care, Ife said.students receive donations, it inspires us because we remember alumni were once in our position. They were students, like us.'