07/26/2023

Meet OSMA Foundation Summer Scholar, Michaela Stamper

Developing the next generation of physicians!

The OSMA Foundation's Summer Scholars program provides stipends for medical students to pursue summer opportunities in research, community health, health advocacy and medical education programs.

Michaela Stamper

Summer Internship Program:
Investigating Immigrant and Refugee Community needs

Medical School and Year:
Northeast Ohio Medical University, M3

Undergraduate School:
Case Western Reserve University

Hometown:
Columbus, Ohio

How did you hear about the OSMA Foundation Summer Scholars stipend opportunity?
Through OSMA emails!

Tell us about your summer internship program. What are you working on?
I am working alongside a classmate to conduct interviews of relevant stakeholders across the Northeast Ohio community to do an in-depth analysis of the current state of minority community needs and access to care and resources. We are currently working on getting full IRB approval and then will spend the rest of the summer conducting our interviews before we begin synthesizing what we learn into a publishable document that will be available to providers and students across the area. We hope this will be informative for health professionals already providing care in our area and to all those looking to get involved with various organizations who provide services and opportunities for these communities!

What impact has the OSMA Foundation Summer Scholars program had on you and your medical school goals and pursuits?
Having the support of this program has been incredibly meaningful to me because it allows me to pursue my passions and learn more about the communities I will serve directly in just a few short years. Medical students are all too often pigeon-holed into certain research opportunities they don't genuinely love due to funding availability and the OSMA is directly addressing this unfortunate situation by funding students to pursue the internship/research opportunity that fully aligns with their goals. I speak for myself (and many others) when I say I do my best work when I know I am making a difference and doing what I love, and I can't thank the OSMA enough for allowing me to do just that!

What’s next for your medical career journey?
As I enter my clinical years, I start having to really consider my future (residency). As of right now, my dream is to pursue Neurology after medical school and find a program that values serving the community around them as much as I do!

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
Last summer I spent six weeks in Nepal working in a community hospital- while there I spent two weeks trekking in the Himalayas and hiked to over 18,000 feet!