Enhancing Opportunities in Medicine
The Saint Louis University School of Medicine aims to attract talented students to its community, yet economic challenges may prevent students' pursuit of their dreams. Scholarships provide our students with access to top-tier medical education, rooted in the SLU Jesuit mission. A gift to the SLU School of Medicine can significantly impact the next generation of exemplary clinicians by alleviating their financial burdens.
Making a Dream Career Possible
Jasnoor Malhotra, (Med ’26), has dreamed of attending medical school since she was five years old. After completing her undergraduate degree, she had the opportunity to be a clinical research assistant at a cancer center. Through this experience, she discovered her passion for the specialty of hematology and medical oncology, connecting deeply with patients during their medical care.
After working as a clinical research assistant, she applied to medical school with a full understanding of the daunting financial requirements that awaited her.
“Having worked prior to starting medical school, I learned to appreciate the value of every dollar I earned,” Malhotra said. “While I was excited to begin medical school, I knew the next four years would be ones of financial uncertainty.”
Malhotra entered the medical admissions process with the goal of achieving her childhood dream. When she was accepted into the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, she was offered a Cura Personalis Scholarship, a four-year scholarship granted to highly talented students who excel academically in leadership or service.
“The scholarship allowed me to limit the amount of loans I took out,” Malhotra said. “This opportunity greatly alleviated the financial burden I was anticipating.”
In her second year of medical school, she reflects on her gratitude for receiving a scholarship, and the great impact that donor gifts to the SLU School of Medicine have on students’ experiences.
“Your generosity allows students, who are from disadvantaged backgrounds or who have limited financial support, to pursue a career that requires higher education,” she said. “I don’t think I could have found a better fit for me than SLU if I tried.”
Gifting the Tools for Success
William Callahan, (Med ’27), felt the initial draw toward a career in medicine after a knee surgery in high school. After expressing an interest in orthopedic surgery as a profession, Callahan’s surgeon invited him to shadow and he jumped at the opportunity.
“In the operating room, I saw how the surgeon was using tools I was familiar with, as I am from a family of construction workers,” Callahan said. “I saw myself in his shoes, using the tools I have grown up working with to help others.”
His interest led him to work as an emergency medical technician (EMT) while obtaining his undergraduate degree. Callahan’s experience exposed him to critical medical situations and inspired him to pursue his medical education.
As he researched medical schools, he was drawn to Saint Louis University School of Medicine’s supportive community and diverse work with patients in the St. Louis area. When he was accepted into the school, he received the prestigious Excellence in Diversity Opportunity Scholarship, granting him full tuition for four years at SLU as an underrepresented student in medicine.
“The scholarship has had a huge impact on my time as a medical student,” Callahan said. “Most of us assume hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. Scholarships like this one alleviate the financial pressure so we can spend more time focused on patients rather than how to get out of debt.”
As a first-year medical student, Callahan focuses on his studies, actively engages with his supportive classmates and is excited to pour his heart into caring for patients. The gift he received from SLU has made his dream possible, and he is proud to be a member of its medical community.
“Donors to the school have the opportunity to drive someone to unlock their potential,” he said. “Scholarships take brilliant people from difficult financial backgrounds and propel them to become physicians, who will impact thousands for the better.”