Dr Jacqueline Youtsos Scholarship for Medical Students

Honoring Dr. Jacqueline Youtsos, MD — Resilience. Access. Compassion.

Dr. Youtsos founded this essay contest to encourage future physicians who understand that great medicine is personal. Whether you are a pre-med student just starting out or a medical student in the thick of clinical rotations, you are welcome to apply.

Scholarship Overview

The Dr. Jacqueline Youtsos Scholarship awards $1,000 to one undergraduate or medical student who demonstrates the same perseverance and patient-first mindset that defined Dr. Youtsos’s own journey from resident to cancer survivor to board-certified physician. Unlike traditional scholarships that rely on grades or test scores, this program is built entirely around your voice and your story. We want to hear how life has shaped your desire to practice medicine — especially if that path included obstacles, health challenges, or a commitment to serving communities that lack access to quality care.

Criteria

To be eligible for the Dr. Jacqueline Youtsos Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  1. Enrollment Status
    • Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at an accredited U.S. college or university and actively pursuing a medical career (pre-med, biology, health sciences, etc.), OR
    • Currently enrolled as a medical student at an accredited U.S. M.D. or D.O. program.
  2. Essay Submission
    Submit an original, unpublished essay (500–800 words) responding to the following prompt:

“Dr. Jacqueline Youtsos faced a melanoma diagnosis during her medical residency, which deepened her understanding of what it means to be both a patient and a physician. Describe a challenge, personal health experience, or encounter with our healthcare system that shaped your own desire to practice medicine. How will you use that experience to provide more compassionate and accessible care to underserved communities?”

  1. Original Work
    Essays must be written solely by the applicant. AI-generated submissions will be disqualified.
  2. No Minimum GPA Required
    We do not request transcripts or test scores. Character outweighs class rank.

Amount

One time award of $1,000

Deadline

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is February 15, 2027

Winner Announced

The winner of the scholarship will be announced on March 15, 2027

How to Apply

Follow these three simple steps:

Step 1: Write Your Essay
Compose a 500–800 word response to the essay prompt above. Proofread carefully. Be honest, specific, and personal.

Step 2: Prepare Your Submission Email
In the body of your email, include the following information:

  • Full name
  • Current school and year of study
  • Whether you are an undergraduate (pre-med track) or a medical student
  • A one-sentence confirmation that your essay is original work

Step 3: Email Your Essay
Send your essay as a PDF or Word document attachment to:
[email protected]

Use the subject line: “Scholarship Submission – [Your Full Name]”

You will receive a confirmation email within 3 business days. Winners are notified directly and announced on this website.

 

Along with the essay, please provide the following information:

  • Full Name
  • Phone Number
  • Address
  • Email Address
  • Name of High School and Graduation Date
  • The University that you are currently enrolled in.
  • Personal Bio
  • GPA