*  Rising OMS II, OMS III or OMS IV
*  First in the immediate family to graduate from a post-secondary educational institution prior to osteopathic medical school matriculation

*  Personal statement that describes the applicant’s path to post-secondary education, the decision to pursue a career in osteopathic medicine and a discussion of goals for future practice, including specialty interests, and anticipated impact on osteopathic healthcare. (written by applicant)
*  Current professional photo (in jpg or png format)
*  CV

Applicants will be reviewed based on the following criteria…
*  Clearly describes the pathway to post-secondary education.
*  Has defined the reason for choosing a career in osteopathic medicine.
*  Clearly discusses his/her future practice goals and anticipated impact on osteopathic healthcare.

After the committee reviews the applications, each applicant will be notified of his/her status. Please allow 6-8 weeks for the notification from the close of the application.

Additional questions may be directed to Michele Caine at 918-551-7300 or mcaine@osteopathicfounders.org.

The Osteopathic Founders Foundation is proud to recognize Samuel Alvarado as a recipient of the 2026 First-Generation Scholarship.

Samuel is passionate about improving healthcare access for underserved and Spanish-speaking communities. A first-generation college student from rural Oklahoma, Samuel’s experiences navigating language barriers and limited healthcare resources inspired his pursuit of osteopathic medicine and culturally competent patient care. He currently ranks in the top 10% of his medical school class and is a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society.

Throughout his academic career, Samuel has been actively involved in research, mentorship, and community outreach initiatives focused on health equity, STEM education, and underserved populations. He serves in leadership roles within the Latino Medical Student Association and regularly volunteers providing health screenings and interpretation services for uninsured patients. His growing interest in neurology was shaped by personal experiences helping his family navigate complex healthcare challenges, reinforcing his commitment to advocacy and compassionate care.

Samuel plans to return to northwest Oklahoma following residency training to provide accessible, patient-centered care while continuing to advocate for underserved communities through osteopathic medicine.

The Osteopathic Founders Foundation is proud to recognize James “Carrson” French as a recipient of the 2026 First-Generation Scholarship.

Carrson is a student at OSU-COM at the Cherokee Nation with a passion for improving neurologic healthcare access in rural and underserved communities. A first-generation college student from Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, Carrson was inspired to pursue medicine through his experiences growing up in a rural community where physicians played a vital role in supporting both patients and families.

Throughout medical school, Carrson has demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership, mentorship, and research. He has served as an academic coach, anatomy teaching assistant, student ambassador, and member of the AACOM Learner Reactor Task Force, contributing to osteopathic medical education initiatives at both the institutional and national level. His research interests focus on neurology, rural health disparities, and patient outcomes, resulting in multiple peer-reviewed publications and presentations. He is also a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society and recipient of the American Academy of Neurology Medical Student Scholarship.

Carrson plans to pursue a career as a general neurologist in rural Oklahoma, where he hopes to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care while continuing to support osteopathic medicine through mentorship, education, and community engagement.