G. Michael Shoffner, M.D. Scholarship Fund
Background
Dr. Shoffner chose to go to Medical School when he was 37 years old because he had a career in the healthcare field, and he identified that he had the potential and desire to give more to the medical community. Originally from Virginia, Dr. Shoffner attended William & Mary for his undergraduate degree, served four years in the U. S. Navy and then attended the Medical College of Virginia to receive a degree in physical therapy. He practiced physical therapy for three years in Danville, Virginia, and then moved to Macon, Georgia, where he served as an electromyographer for five years before making the decision to go to Medical School.
He attended medical school at the Medical College of Georgia, now known as Augusta University, and he graduated number one in his class. He also received the Physician’s Physician award, the doctor his classmates would most like to have as their own physician, an honor rarely awarded to the number one student in the class. Following medical school, he completed a residency in neurology at the Medical College of Georgia before returning to Macon to practice with Neurology Associates.
He was best known and respected by both colleagues and patients for his patience and his warmth. And he is remembered for his wit and sense of humor, for his broad range of interests ranging from sailing to woodworking, for his genuinely caring nature, for his depth of knowledge, and for his ever-present smile.
Purpose
The intent of the scholarship is to provide a non-traditional medical school student financial support to further their medical education.
Eligibility Criteria
- This scholarship is for non-traditional medical school students working toward an M.D. or D.O. degree in a medical school in the state of Georgia.
- Applicants must be enrolled at an accredited medical school located in the state of Georgia. (Currently Augusta University in Augusta or Athens, Emory University, Morehouse School of Medicine, Mercer University in Macon or Savannah or the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Georgia Campus in Kennesaw, GA.)
- Applicants must be at least 25 years of age
- Applicants must have lived and/or worked in Central Georgia for a minimum period of 3 years at some point before applying to Medical School. The Central Georgia area is defined as the following counties: Bibb, Baldwin, Butts, Coffee, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Monroe, Peach, Spalding, Taylor, Twiggs, Upson, and Wilkinson.
Additional Short Answer Questions and Attachments
You will complete the G. Michael Shoffner, M.D. Scholarship Application. As part of that application, in addition to providing information about yourself, your previous education and medical school you will need to complete the following information:
- A short answer response describing how long you have lived or worked in Central Georgia and what your commitment to the Central Georgia community is.
- A short answer response describing your career path since college graduation and why you’re choosing to go to medical school now. Why have you selected the field of medicine after working in a professional career, and what motivates you to learn more about the field of medicine?
- A short essay to include anything that you want the selection committee to know about you that has not been disclosed in another section of the application. Have you experienced any hardships, challenges, or obstacles that have influenced your educational pursuits?
- A resume listing your work, school and community activities, athletics, awards, offices held, and other relevant experience.
- Your most recent undergraduate college transcript.
Awards
Amount of Award: Typically $500 – $1,000 per year
Number of Awards: Typically one per year
Prior recipients may re-apply and be reconsidered each year for a future award.