Founders’ Research Award
The purpose of this award was to recognize, honor, and encourage medical students who contribute to scholarly work through research and publication or presentation. It has been presented to a student researcher who had demonstrated a commitment to clinical or basic science research pertaining to osteopathic medicine or public health and who exhibited the foundational research skills that will serve the osteopathic profession. The last year for this scholarship to be awarded was in 2023.
2023 Founders' Research Award
A recipient of the 2023 Founders’ Research Award is Rachel Terry. Rachel graduated summa cum laude from Oklahoma State University with a degree in biology. She is a member of Sigma Sigma Phi Honor Society, the Gold Humanism Honor Society and has received many honors. With over 21 research projects, 4 have been published in national medical journals and others having won first place at national research conferences. Rachel plans to pursue a residency on OB/GYN.
A recipient of the 2023 Founders’ Research Award is Kelsi Batioja. Kelsi received a degree in nutritional sciences from Oklahoma State University and is currently a student at the Cherokee Nation campus. She has published over 19 manuscripts and has 21 combined poster and oral presentations. In 2022 she was asked to replicate her presentation on “Associations of Social Determinants of Health and Childhood Obesity” for the OFF Board of Directors. Kelsi plans to pursue a career as an OB/GYN in a setting with diverse patient populations. Her ultimate goal is to establish a free clinic or portable clinic for women who otherwise would not be able to receive care.
Past Recipients
| 2021 | Austin L. Johnson |
| 2022 | Hunter J. Meyers, Nicholas Sajjadi |
| 2023 | Rachel Terry, Kelsi Batioja |