Wausau, March 13, 2023 – The Aspirus Health Foundation awarded four Medical College of Wisconsin-Central Wisconsin medical students $450,000 in scholarships through its Aspirus Scholars Program.

This year’s scholarships were awarded to:

• Paige Boruch, 1st Year Medical Student (Hometown: Wausau)
• Elllie Mallek, 1st Year Medical Student (Hometown: Plover)
• Giridhar Murali, 1st Year Medical Student (Hometown: Shelton, CT)
• Lauren Woyak, 1st Year Medical Student (Hometown: Stevens Point)

The Aspirus Scholars Program is a partnership between Aspirus, a non-profit healthcare system, and the Medical College of Wisconsin. The program aims to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in the region by providing scholarships to students pursuing degrees in healthcare fields. The scholarship covers tuition, fees, and a living stipend for each academic year.

It provides generous scholarships for tuition to medical students and connects them to Aspirus and the communities served by Aspirus during their training. In return, students commit to employment at Aspirus in the areas of primary care, psychiatry or general surgery.

The scholarship recipients were selected based on academic merit, financial need, and a commitment to serving rural and underserved communities. The program places a strong emphasis on recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals in the region, particularly in rural and underserved areas where there is a shortage of medical providers.

Recipient Giridhar Murali, 1st year medical school student, was recently interviewed by WAOW News 9 about the scholarship.

"We can really establish healthcare here for the next generation so that's what I'm looking forward to doing here, that's what rural healthcare means to me, it's to care for these good people right here in Wausau and beyond," said Murali.

The Aspirus Scholars Program is a vital part of the effort to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in the region. By providing financial support to students pursuing medical degrees, the program is helping to ensure that the region has the healthcare workforce it needs to provide high-quality care to all residents. Congratulations to the scholarship recipients and thank you to Aspirus for its commitment to addressing this critical issue.

Four MCW-Central Wisconsin students accept their 2023 Aspirus Scholarships at a ceremony in February. (Photo courtesy of WAOW News 9)