5 students get medical school scholarship from SWU Phinma

Five college graduates were granted a 100 percent scholarship including allowances at the Southwestern University Phinma School of Medicine.

School officials introduced this week the medical school scholarship beneficiaries. They are Maria Donna Agan, Marielle Danise Veedor, Marsha Ann Jolo, Mary Vianey Pepito, and Edjin Relatos.

The five, who are now in their first year at the College of Medicine, are the first batch of the Chairman's Scholarship beneficiaries.

The "Chairman's Scholarship" grants approximately a million-peso worth of support per student. The funds are raised by USA-based alumni doctors of the SWU Phinma.

"It's around that much counting all the benefits like books, monthly allowance. That's how much we value our students," said Vice President for Student Life Gilbert Magno Braganza.

All five graduated with Latin honors and came from financiallychallenged families.They also underwent a series of examinations and interviews since February before their grant was confirmed this month.

SWU President Chito Salazar regarded them as the "cream of the crop" after making the cut, out of the 80 applicants from all over Visayas and Mindanao.

"Medicine is one of the most expensive programs. More often than not, those who are capable to serve the community find it difficult to pursue a medical degree. The purpose of this scholarship is to search for the best students who might be able to pursue the degree and this is the first ever Chairman's Scholarship," he said.

Salazar added that SWU is extending opportunities like this in order to achieve their vision of an affordable yet high quality health care in the country.

"Ever since I was a child it's been my dream and my mother's dream. I wanted to translate my interest into something like a community service," said BS Pharmacy graduate Marsha Ann Jolo.

Jolo said she wants to become a surgeon someday but thought it would not be possible because of financial constraints. The four other scholars shared the same sentiments.