Michael Rasekhi, founder and Chief Medical Officer of the Southern California Medical Center (SCMC), has announced the opening of the Michael Rasekhi Scholarship for Medical Students. The program is designed to support undergraduate and medical students across the United States who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to advancing careers in healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.
The scholarship, hosted through the Michael Rasekhi Scholarship website, is open to pre-medical undergraduate students and current medical students. Applicants are required to submit an original essay responding to a prompt inspired by Rasekhi's own career: transforming a small clinic into a federally qualified nonprofit health center that serves diverse populations. The prompt asks students to describe a challenge in modern healthcare they are passionate about solving and how their future medical career will contribute to community well-being.
Michael Rasekhi, who has spent over three decades in healthcare focusing on underserved populations, established the scholarship as part of his broader mission to strengthen community health systems. Under his leadership, SCMC grew from a small family practice into a vital community health center serving Southern California. The scholarship reflects his belief that investing in medical students today builds a stronger foundation for tomorrow's healthcare systems.
The one-time award of $1,000 is intended to support educational expenses. Applications must be submitted by January 15, 2027, and the winner will be announced on February 15, 2027. The scholarship prioritizes candidates who engage critically with issues such as access disparities, preventive care limitations, and evolving community health needs.
By launching this initiative, Rasekhi reinforces his lifelong commitment to service-oriented medicine and academic advancement. The program not only provides financial support but also recognizes future healthcare leaders dedicated to meaningful community impact. For more information, visit the Michael Rasekhi Scholarship website.
