Minority and Underrepresented Scholarship Programs
Scholarship programs
Program overview
The Health Equity and Leadership Scholars Program (HEAL) is an initiative designed to encourage diversity in the physician workforce in Grand Rapids, Michigan by providing scholarships for resident physicians from underrepresented minority backgrounds.
HEAL scholars pursue a health equity project involving leadership, advocacy, scholarship, and/or community engagement. Each scholar is paired with a Corewell Health and Kent County Health Department faculty mentor. Scholars also serve as mentors for medical students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Each academic year, two resident physicians are accepted into the program. HEAL Scholars receive a $10,000 scholarship their first year and a $5,000 scholarship each year thereafter throughout residency. Upon graduation, HEAL scholars may be eligible to receive an additional $5,000 if they choose to stay and practice in West Michigan and Corewell Health.
Eligibility
Scholars must be enrolled in one of Corewell Health/Michigan State University College of Human Medicine's 3-year primary care residency programs (pediatrics, internal medicine, family medicine) or the emergency medicine residency program.
Scholars must be from an underrepresented minority background (African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander)
How to apply
Applications are accepted each year after Match Day and until May 1. To apply, complete the application form and email it to ResidentDiversity@corewellhealth.org.
Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Health Equity and Leadership Scholars!
Valentine Igilimbabazi, MD
Family medicine
As a first-generation immigrant, my initial exposure to health care disparities occurred in my own country, Rwanda, where I witnessed both progress and enduring limitations within the healthcare system. While I deeply admire the progress my country has made in providing healthcare access, my experience at a local women's hospital shed light on the profound impact of various social determinants on the quality of care. Upon relocating to the United States, I observed similar disparities in the treatment of black and brown individuals within the health care system. Given the rapid growth in diversity in West Michigan's population, it is imperative that this population is met with representation in the physician workforce to enhance equity and advocacy. This representation fosters trust between physicians and patients. Additionally, minority and underrepresented physicians are empowered to advocate for patients by leveraging their familiarity with the community, playing a vital role in implementing regulations that serve everyone equally, influencing legislative changes, and reducing implicit bias.
Fatima Sulaiman, DO
Family medicine
Growing up as a first-generation American with parents who immigrated from East Africa, I've witnessed numerous situations unfold due to limited access to care and cultural misunderstandings. These personal and professional experiences have deeply influenced my passion for health equity and advocacy. During my 4th year of medical school, I was further reminded of this during my family medicine rotation in an area with a large new immigrant population. As a future physician, I am taught to ask the right questions and gather enough information to create the best assessment and treatment plan, however, it is important to keep a patient's life situation and cultural practice in mind. By keeping underrepresented physicians in West Michigan, we can ensure that patients of all backgrounds have access to healthcare providers who truly understand their needs. Moreover, these physicians serve as inspiring figures within underrepresented communities, encouraging more individuals to pursue careers in medicine and thereby increasing the numbers even more.
Antonia Fomunyam-Nyongabsen, MD
Internal Medicine
My experience as a HEAL scholar has been nothing short of exceptional. As I journey through residency, I always think about “My Why” and this opportunity reminds me of the reason I chose medicine. It has given me the ability to immerse myself in experiences like the NAACP Grand Rapids chapter, have amazing mentors that support my vision of serving the refugee community of Grand Rapids and finding ways to improve access to health care. Being a first-generation immigrant who moved to the U.S.A at 18 years old, it has always been a goal of mine to serve a community that dealt with the same culture shock I faced when I initially immigrated. Above everything, as a black woman in medicine, I have felt seen and supported by mentors such as Dr. Candace Smith-King and Dr. Nirali Bora. My co-scholars and I are involved in several projects that align with our interests, made possible by the entire HEAL team. If you qualify for this opportunity and are on the fence about applying, please pick up that computer and apply. You will not regret it!
Janene Berli, MD
Internal Medicine
It has been an inspiring time to get involved in local health equity efforts with the recent development of the Kent County Health Equity Council. It is encouraging to see representatives from local businesses, non-profit organizations, health systems and more gathering together to rally in an effort to make our communities healthier with current focus on the mental health. I have the privilege of participating in an action team focused specifically on decreasing the stigma surrounding mental health care. I also look forward to partnering with local groups working on harm reduction strategies, especially when it comes to substance use, as it is a personal passion of mine. I appreciate that Drs. Bora and Smith-King get to know us as individuals and design elements of the curriculum to be able to get us involved in the areas we are most passionate about. It has been empowering to be able to carve out space and time to spend on such efforts amongst the grind of intern year and residency.
Tajuldeen Al-Hasani, MD
Internal Medicine
Tajuldeen Al-Hasani, MD attended medical school at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and is a first-year internal medicine resident. Dr. Al-Hasani believes that everyone deserves equal access to health care. He advocates for a health care system that is inclusive, intersectional and free from biases – both conscious and unconscious – and always strives to reflect the diversity and intersectionality of our community.
Tishanna Ferguson, MD
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Tishanna N. Ferguson, MD was born and raised in Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State University and worked as a Surgical Critical Care Technician at Spectrum Health prior to attending Ross University School of Medicine. She is currently an OB-GYN resident at Corewell Health. She is passionate about advocacy for marginalized and underrepresented patient populations. Her goal is to motivate, educate and uplift patients while providing exceptional care to our community.
Program overview
The Health Equity and Leadership Scholars Program (HEAL) is an initiative designed to encourage diversity in the physician workforce in Grand Rapids, Michigan by providing scholarships for resident physicians from underrepresented minority backgrounds.
HEAL scholars pursue a health equity project involving leadership, advocacy, scholarship, and/or community engagement. Each scholar is paired with a Corewell Health and Kent County Health Department faculty mentor. Scholars also serve as mentors for medical students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Each academic year, two resident physicians are accepted into the program. HEAL Scholars receive a $10,000 scholarship their first year and a $5,000 scholarship each year thereafter throughout residency. Upon graduation, HEAL scholars may be eligible to receive an additional $5,000 if they choose to stay and practice in West Michigan and Corewell Health.
Eligibility
Scholars must be enrolled in one of Corewell Health/Michigan State University College of Human Medicine's 3-year primary care residency programs (pediatrics, internal medicine, family medicine) or the emergency medicine residency program.
Scholars must be from an underrepresented minority background (African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander)
How to apply
Applications are accepted each year after Match Day and until May 1. To apply, complete the application form and email it to ResidentDiversity@corewellhealth.org.
Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Health Equity and Leadership Scholars!
Valentine Igilimbabazi, MD
Family medicine
As a first-generation immigrant, my initial exposure to health care disparities occurred in my own country, Rwanda, where I witnessed both progress and enduring limitations within the healthcare system. While I deeply admire the progress my country has made in providing healthcare access, my experience at a local women's hospital shed light on the profound impact of various social determinants on the quality of care. Upon relocating to the United States, I observed similar disparities in the treatment of black and brown individuals within the health care system. Given the rapid growth in diversity in West Michigan's population, it is imperative that this population is met with representation in the physician workforce to enhance equity and advocacy. This representation fosters trust between physicians and patients. Additionally, minority and underrepresented physicians are empowered to advocate for patients by leveraging their familiarity with the community, playing a vital role in implementing regulations that serve everyone equally, influencing legislative changes, and reducing implicit bias.
Fatima Sulaiman, DO
Family medicine
Growing up as a first-generation American with parents who immigrated from East Africa, I've witnessed numerous situations unfold due to limited access to care and cultural misunderstandings. These personal and professional experiences have deeply influenced my passion for health equity and advocacy. During my 4th year of medical school, I was further reminded of this during my family medicine rotation in an area with a large new immigrant population. As a future physician, I am taught to ask the right questions and gather enough information to create the best assessment and treatment plan, however, it is important to keep a patient's life situation and cultural practice in mind. By keeping underrepresented physicians in West Michigan, we can ensure that patients of all backgrounds have access to healthcare providers who truly understand their needs. Moreover, these physicians serve as inspiring figures within underrepresented communities, encouraging more individuals to pursue careers in medicine and thereby increasing the numbers even more.
Antonia Fomunyam-Nyongabsen, MD
Internal Medicine
My experience as a HEAL scholar has been nothing short of exceptional. As I journey through residency, I always think about “My Why” and this opportunity reminds me of the reason I chose medicine. It has given me the ability to immerse myself in experiences like the NAACP Grand Rapids chapter, have amazing mentors that support my vision of serving the refugee community of Grand Rapids and finding ways to improve access to health care. Being a first-generation immigrant who moved to the U.S.A at 18 years old, it has always been a goal of mine to serve a community that dealt with the same culture shock I faced when I initially immigrated. Above everything, as a black woman in medicine, I have felt seen and supported by mentors such as Dr. Candace Smith-King and Dr. Nirali Bora. My co-scholars and I are involved in several projects that align with our interests, made possible by the entire HEAL team. If you qualify for this opportunity and are on the fence about applying, please pick up that computer and apply. You will not regret it!
Janene Berli, MD
Internal Medicine
It has been an inspiring time to get involved in local health equity efforts with the recent development of the Kent County Health Equity Council. It is encouraging to see representatives from local businesses, non-profit organizations, health systems and more gathering together to rally in an effort to make our communities healthier with current focus on the mental health. I have the privilege of participating in an action team focused specifically on decreasing the stigma surrounding mental health care. I also look forward to partnering with local groups working on harm reduction strategies, especially when it comes to substance use, as it is a personal passion of mine. I appreciate that Drs. Bora and Smith-King get to know us as individuals and design elements of the curriculum to be able to get us involved in the areas we are most passionate about. It has been empowering to be able to carve out space and time to spend on such efforts amongst the grind of intern year and residency.
Tajuldeen Al-Hasani, MD
Internal Medicine
Tajuldeen Al-Hasani, MD attended medical school at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and is a first-year internal medicine resident. Dr. Al-Hasani believes that everyone deserves equal access to health care. He advocates for a health care system that is inclusive, intersectional and free from biases – both conscious and unconscious – and always strives to reflect the diversity and intersectionality of our community.
Tishanna Ferguson, MD
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Tishanna N. Ferguson, MD was born and raised in Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State University and worked as a Surgical Critical Care Technician at Spectrum Health prior to attending Ross University School of Medicine. She is currently an OB-GYN resident at Corewell Health. She is passionate about advocacy for marginalized and underrepresented patient populations. Her goal is to motivate, educate and uplift patients while providing exceptional care to our community.
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