At the recent Osteopathic Medical Education (OMED) Conference in Orlando, Florida, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine family celebrated as one of their students, Zach Simmons ’25, was named the recipient of the American Osteopathic Foundation’s (AOF) Golden Ticket Scholarship, resulting in a $20,000 educational scholarship.
The Golden Ticket Scholarship, awarded annually by the AOF, recognizes, and supports exceptional osteopathic medical students who meet their criteria and truly exemplify osteopathic tenants and philosophy.
Current second, third or fourth year medical students enrolled at a COCA-accredited college of osteopathic medicine who can show significant financial need that will affect the completion of their education are eligible for the scholarship. They must also be in the top 25% of their class, participate in active volunteer service and demonstrate leadership qualities.
We talked to Zach about his educational road thus far and how he made a successful bid for this prestigious national honor. He began by telling us he was raised not far from the VCOM-Virginia campus in Giles County, Virginia (pop. 16,562), a beautiful region of Southwest Virginia, dotted with small towns and rural communities.
Here’s a little from our Q&A with Zach:
Q: What was the application process like to become a Golden Ticker winner? Describe the process you went through to reach this final goal?
A: I was nominated by a VCOM award committee and brought into the dean’s office to accept the nomination and begin the application process. I encourage [students] to talk to Dr. Wilcox or Whitney Stokes as a great resource to get the process underway. I was also given much assistance in finalizing my CV and personal statement by the dean’s executive assistant at VCOM, Laura Robinson. I found the recommendation support that I needed on campus as well. I was announced as a finalist in June and awarded $5,000, then traveled to OMED for the presentation of the final award and an additional $15,000 in October.
My two years of hard work in the surrounding community allowed me to be a candidate for this position. Throughout my two years, I had been making sure to build my resume with community service, but what I do for my home community is solely because I care about my family and friends that are still around the area.
Q: You won the Golden Ticket award – now what? What kind of impact will this award have in your life as a medical student and beyond?
A: The financial impact of this award is tremendous, but the fact that people around me and above me at VCOM believe in my dreams and support me the way they do means just as much as the money. I am family oriented and extremely grateful to be a part of the VCOM family these past two years; their support is unmatched. I hope to use this money in a way that will help me remain comfortable throughout my next few years of medical school debt.
Q: Out of all the community outreach you have been involved in, what has stuck out to you the most and why?
A: The Giles Health Fair is by far the most important and amazing outreach event I have been involved in. Returning to my home community, showing them that I care about everybody there and want to instill the value of education and opportunity to the people is what I plan to continue to do throughout my life as a physician and beyond that. My family may not see me as much as they’d like, and as much as I’d like, but I do care for them as much as I care for myself.
Q: What is your biggest takeaway from the outreach experiences you have had since becoming a VCOM student?
A: VCOM emphasizes community outreach, and it should be taken with pride that they want us to reach out to the surrounding community like they do. Many schools want their students in a lab doing research as much as possible, but community outreach allows me, a student, to see different aspects of people’s lives. Whether it be in a food pantry, a health fair or even a thrift store, the people you get to encounter all have different personalities, stories, and priorities that physicians should learn to understand and respect.
Q: What advice would you give to a high school student who thinks their dream of becoming a doctor is unreachable?
A: I hope all students, no matter the age, can see my short story so far and see that medical school, and the path to medical school, is more than just textbooks and good grades. Yeah, you can get straight As and do intense research at a top tier university. But, living a life full of different, challenging experiences and trying your hardest to make things better for people around you can lead you to any profession your heart desires. I changed my perspective on life soon after high school. I do what I do not because I want people to respect me or look up to me, but because I want the world to be a happier, healthier, more well-rounded and caring place. Looking after your friends, family and even strangers is something that my family instilled in me at a young age. I love to share that perspective on life with everybody I meet. The nominations, awards and even a medical degree will come along with that altruistic journey.
I hope all current and future students at VCOM can see my story and understand the opportunity that VCOM is giving their students. Medical school is going to be hard no matter where you are, but the VCOM family is a blessing and looks to form well rounded, community-oriented physicians.
Q: What do you love about being a VCOM student?
A: VCOM has treated me like family from day one. I have been able to form relationships with many of the faculty and staff and, no matter where I am around campus, there is somebody asking me how I am or if I need help with anything. I have been given many opportunities through the connections made within the school. Those connections led to a trust in m to lead an event like a health fair. They have listened and helped me along every step of the way and I am forever grateful. Didactics are daunting to most, but we must make the best of our situations and stay true to our core principles.
Q: Is there anything else you would like us to know about this experience?
A: A few very important people in VCOM family helped me out so much with the health fair that got me recognized for this award. I am forever grateful to you all. Many helped during the event, but a select few gave up a lot of their time to support my aspirations with nothing guaranteed in return. I do hope to return the favor one day in the future.