The Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 Foundation Scholarships. Ten students each received a $10,000 scholarship in recognition of their accomplishments in the osteopathic profession. These outstanding students are currently in their second, third, or fourth year of osteopathic medical school and have exemplified a deep dedication to practicing medicine in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington State. Each recipient has showcased not only a profound understanding of osteopathic principles but also a strong commitment to volunteer leadership and community service.
We are proud to support these future healthcare leaders and look forward to seeing their impact on the Northwest medical community. Congratulations to our winners! Your hard work and dedication to the osteopathic profession inspire us all.
Student Doctor Thomas attends the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest in Lebanon, OR. She was born and raised in Medford, Oregon and attended college at Oregon State University. Outside of medicine she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outside, and spending time with her golden retrievers. She is excited for her future as a resident and the ability to build meaningful relationships with patients and future colleagues. She is dedicated and hopeful to continue her training in the Northwest in residency and further as an attending in the future. With her strong connection to the Northwest, she is deeply committed to giving back to the community. She aspires to continue the practice of osteopathic medicine providing compassionate and holistic care to my future patient populations.
Julia Schearer, is a student at Rocky Vista University (RVU). She is originally from Great Falls, Montana and obtained her undergraduate degree in Microbiology at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. She has applied her passion for service through various volunteer and leadership in medical school. At RVU, she has served as a student ambassador, tutor, ultrasound scholar, and on the leadership boards for the Emergency Medicine Residency Interest Club and the Health Equity Club. She has also been involved in the Rural and Wilderness Medicine Track which has greatly increased her knowledge of providing care in rural and austere environments. Through this track, she became involved in a research project that led to the creation of a simulation model for epidural hematoma drainage.
She is deeply passionate about health equity and community outreach, and currently serves as the president of a community non-profit organization, Helmet Heads, which delivers a yearly average of 650 free recreational helmets and helmet safety education to students at Title I schools in Denver and Aurora. Outside of medicine, she enjoys the the outdoors, golfing, hiking, skiing, and coaching and playing softball.
Derek McClune grew up in East Wenatchee, WA, and is currently an OMS II at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine – Southern Utah, where he is immersed in the Rural and Wilderness Medicine track. He plans to return to the greater Wenatchee area to practice medicine as either a family physician or an orthopedic surgeon.
Derek served a two-year mission in Bolivia, where he organized humanitarian service projects. Fluent in Spanish and experienced as a medical translator, he is dedicated to improving healthcare access for underserved populations. He graduated with a B.S. in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University, where he also wrestled and played rugby.
Married for three years, Derek and his wife, Kailey, have an energetic Australian Shepherd named Mac. They enjoy working out, playing sports like pickleball and basketball, and participating in outdoor activities such as snowboarding, rock climbing, and backpacking.
While attending medical school, Derek volunteers as a wrestling coach at a local high school. He is also the Officer of Wellness at his medical school, writing a weekly newsletter on wellness topics and promoting a balanced lifestyle among his peers.
In sharing why he decided to pursue a career in medicine, Derek reflects on growing up observing his father, a physical therapist. He was inspired by his father’s empathy for his patients and his mastery of human anatomy, which fostered Derek’s own dedication to compassionate and knowledgeable patient care.
Derek finds joy in helping others improve themselves and is fascinated by the human body’s intricate systems and healing abilities. Osteopathic medicine’s holistic approach, emphasizing prevention, empathy, and patient-centered care, aligns with his belief that true health encompasses physical, emotional, and social well-being. In medicine, Derek can blend his passion for science with his desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation for this huge honor. Since arriving to the United States in 2008 as a first-generation immigrant from South Korea, I have been proud to call Washington state my home. I have always felt a strong connection to the region and its diverse population. This connection has shaped my career aspirations to medicine, aiming to return to Washington State to address healthcare disparities and enhance the quality of life for underserved communities.
My experiences at Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine have been humbling, yet eye-opening and transformative. Serving as a president at the school’s PM&R interest group and volunteering at the local rehabilitation clinic have given me a glimpse of the privileges I have been given to serve the communities in Dothan, AL. Also, with the caring faculty and colleagues who have helped me every step of the way, I was able to discover my passion for physiatry, focusing on improving patients’ functional abilities and overall well-being.
My journey to medicine is driven by the belief that healthcare should be equitable and accessible to all. I am hopeful in that my medical training and expertise can help to bridge gaps in healthcare disparities in Washington State, particularly among minority communities. Through my future practice as a physiatrist, I aim to implement holistic rehabilitation strategies that empower patients to regain independence and improve their quality of life.
Student Doctor Cambria Kasten (she/they) is a third-year student at Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest and is this year’s recipient of the LGBTQIA scholarship. Cambria maintains a passion for peer education on diversity topics and for serving the LGBTQIA population in medicine and beyond.
While in medical school, Cambria has served on leadership for a variety of student-led organizations, including Equality Alliance Club, White Coats for Black Lives, American Medical Women’s Association, Narrative Medicine, and Emergency Medicine Interest Group. Additionally, they have enjoyed volunteering with youth in the foster system and at leadership camps. Cambria plans to continue working and volunteering with underrepresented youth throughout their career.
Cambria would like to give a special thank you to their mentors Dr. Frances Spiller and Dr. Anna Hardin for supporting her academic, professional, and personal journey. They also feel great appreciation to the Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation both for the privilege of receiving the LGBTQIA scholarship and for the support in their pursuit of equitable care for all people.
Mallori Allen was born and raised in south central Alaska before moving to Boise, Idaho for college and now medical school. Raised in Alaska, student Dr. Allen was surrounded by the tall peaks of her home town in Palmer, Alaska. She grew up exploring the backcountry of Alaska, seeing the remote and rural environments that many Alaskans consider home. She is inspired to return to her home state to give something back to the communities, especially in the large vetran population that lives in Alaska. As a third generation service member in the Army, student Dr. Allen, has always valued the sacrifice that our service members have made.
She grew up sitting around campfires listening to her dad and the friends he served with. Listening to their stories inspired her to give back to the veteran and military community. Her goal is to give something back to those who made the biggest impact on her life and believes she can do that by simply being the best physician that she can be and by being a strong role model for her community.
Student Doctor Kiana Fincher is a third-year Osteopathic Medical Student at COMP-NW in Lebanon, Oregon, and a recipient of the Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation Scholarship. Kiana was born and raised in rural Southern Oregon, where she hopes to one day return as a Family Physician with her husband and two children, Blake (3) and Eli (1).
While in medical school, she is serving on the Board of Directors at the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians as Student Director to COMP-NW. Additionally, she receives training as an AHEC (Area Health Education Center) scholar, enabling her to better serve her community here in the Pacific Northwest.
Kiana identifies several individuals as being instrumental in her success thus far: her husband Brandon, parents David and Michelle Sweem, and grandfather Larry Sweem. She also recognizes Dr. Gina Miller, MD as a prominent mentor in her endeavors. She thanks the Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation for the honor of this scholarship, and for their continuous support of students and physicians.
Samantha Bowen is a 3rd year medical student at Western University College of the Pacific Northwest in Lebanon, Oregon. Born and raised in Tigard, Oregon, she graduated from Lewis & Clark College in 2020 with a BA in Biology. During her time there, she competed in collegiate cross-country and track and spent a semester studying in Sevilla, Spain.
In medical school, Samantha has pursued her passion for serving underserved and rural communities. She has utilized her Spanish language skills as a medical assistant and Spanish interpreter for InReach Medical Clinic, a free clinic in Albany. Some of her other favorite volunteer experiences include assisting as a cross-country and track coach at Lebanon High School as well as working with people experiencing houselessness, providing them with health screenings and connecting them to community resources.
Mentoring pre-medicine students from underrepresented backgrounds is also a significant part of Samantha’s commitment to health equity. She believes that volunteering and striving for health equity are essential to being an osteopathic physician. These experiences drive her dedication to becoming a knowledgeable, passionate, and advocacy-focused future physician.
While Samantha is still exploring her specialization options, she is certain about working with underserved and rural communities. Her dedication to learning how to best serve these groups is further evidenced by her participation in Kaiser Permanente’s Introduction to Integrated Healthcare program and as well as the AHEC Scholars Program. She is also a member of the Oregon Medical Association’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee, supporting organized medicine in Oregon.
Outside of her studies, Samantha enjoys running, backpacking, summer swimming in the beautiful lakes and rivers of the Pacific Northwest, reading, and window shopping at pet stores.