ATLANTA, Ga. (July 1, 2020) – ApolloMD is honored to announce the recipient of the third annual ApolloMD Emergency Medicine Scholarship, Bassam Zahid, MD.
“We are constantly inspired by the passion exhibited in our young physician colleagues and hope to use this scholarship program as a way to pay it forward,” said Yogin Patel, MD, President. “The challenge of pursuing a career in clinical practice, especially emergency medicine, can be physically and mentally exhausting and stressful. The work these physicians do is incredible, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. We want to support them any way we can.”
Dr. Zahid received his bachelor’s degree from Boston College in Massachusetts and his medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. He will begin his final residency program year in July 2020 with the Stony Brook University Department of Emergency Medicine in Stony Brook, NY.
Dr. Zahid’s passion for emergency medicine and experiences in medical school have cultivated his interests in writing, editing, producing podcasts, designing apps, studying health informatics, and mentoring students. Driven by his enthusiasm for storytelling, Dr. Zahid created and produced Doctor Hustle, a podcast focused on exploring entrepreneurship, creativity and leadership in medicine.
“I am sincerely honored and thrilled to have been selected as the recipient of the ApolloMD Emergency Medicine Scholarship,” said Dr. Zahid. “Thank you, ApolloMD, for your generosity. It not only inspires me to continue striving toward excellence as an emergency medicine physician, but also challenges me to work harder and dream even bigger as I step forward into building my career.”
While in medical school, Dr. Zahid founded a health technology student group which quickly grew on campus. As a result, school administration charged him with establishing an innovation center, which launched in less than a year. During residency, he has studied the use of CT scans in the emergency department, served as editor of the residency blog, The Morning Report, and is working on a telemedicine simulation research project for emergency medicine residents.
“My goals for residency and beyond are both broad and diverse,” said Dr. Zahid. “Life in emergency medicine is full of opportunities, and I look forward to exploring innovative solutions at the frontiers of medicine for the patients and communities whom I serve.”
Determining factors for the scholarship program winner include scholarly achievements, leadership and membership involvement with accredited medical societies/organizations and philanthropic commitments. Applicants are required to be in good standing with a US allopathic or osteopathic medical school, as well as pursuing a career in emergency medicine. Candidates must also be participating in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the median debt for the class of 2019 was $200,000. The median 4-year cost of attendance totaled $255,517 for public medical schools and $337,584 for private medical schools.
“We hope by offering this annual scholarship we can reduce a small portion of the financial burden because we know the future of healthcare lies in the hands of dedicated resident physicians who work hard to learn the practice of medicine,” said Michael Dolister, MD, Chief Executive Officer.
The 2021 scholarship application will open January 1 with a deadline of June 15. For information, or to apply for 2021, visit apollomd.com.
