AWA SANNEH is already counting down to the end of her second year at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, when she will begin clinical rotations. After a year spent largely in the classroom, she looks forward to spending more time caring for patients.
Having grown up in Gambia and being the first in her family to attend medical school, Sanneh says that a unique scholarship has significantly helped reduce the financial burden of medical school. She was the sole recipient of the 2015 Women’s Board Scholarship
Fund, which allowed her to pursue her passion for patient care while receiving a top-notch education. Although she hasn’t yet chosen a residency path, she’s considering a concentration in women’s health and primary care.
Since 2005, the Women’s Board of The Johns Hopkins Hospital has funded a four-year scholarship for one student each year at the schools of medicine and nursing. Funds for scholarships are through events like the highly anticipated fall Best Dressed Sale, which will be held Nov. 4 to 6 this year.
Each morning of the three-day sale, shoppers queue at the door of the Evergreen Museum Carriage House, eager to browse the racks brimming with new and gently used women’s and men’s clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories. At the exclusive preview party,
early birds get first dibs on everything, including furs, bridal gowns, vintage finds and designer labels.
Since 1980, the Women’s Board, which will celebrate its 90th anniversary next year, has given $20 million to patient care at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in the form of scholarships and
hospital department grants. To date, 57 students have received scholarship funding. Recent grants have funded 20 sleeper chairs for families and caregivers of oncology patients, a 4-D prenatal ultrasound device to study fetal neurodevelopment,and “chemo cozies”— fleece jackets for cancer patients.
At the school of medicine’s Scholarship Recognition Event in April 2015, Sanneh met a few Women’s Board members, including President Mona Miller and First Vice President Laurie Long. “It was really nice to be able to put a face to the people who provided
me with this opportunity,” Sanneh says.
Learn more at womensboard.jhmi.edu or email [email protected] to purchase preview party tickets.
