The San Joaquin Valley Medical Scholarship Foundation (SJVMSF) held its annual scholarship award ceremony at Fort Washington Country Club on July 21. Three scholarships of $55,000, totaling $165,000, were awarded. The scholarship money is sent to the lender to pay part of the loan for each physician.

The scholarships play a crucial role in encouraging and supporting doctors in training who are pursuing careers in family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, according to a SJVMSF news release.

The mission of the scholarship is to improve the health and well-being of individuals living in the Central Valley by increasing the number of health care professionals practicing in the region. By offering substantial financial support to low-income health professional students, these scholarships alleviate the burden of medical school debt, making it feasible for recipients to remain in the Valley after graduation, according to the release. The initiative not only addresses the health care needs of underserved communities, but also strengthens the local medical workforce, ensuring better access to quality health care for all residents, according to SJVMSF.

Recipients typically face medical tuition debt averaging $260,000, which, when combined with living expenses, exceeds $400,000.

Tania Zavalza, MD, the 2022 scholarship recipient, has received a total of $165,000 in scholarship funds. She graduated in June 2023 and is now practicing in Parlier while also serving as a faculty member at UCSF Fresno. As a specialist in family medicine, Tania is committed to providing comprehensive care to her community, exemplifying the scholarship’s mission to improve health care access.

Xeng X. Xiong, MD, was the 2023 scholarship recipient and has received a total of $110,000 in scholarship installments. He graduated in June 2024 and began his medical practice in Downtown Fresno on Aug. 1, where he provides vital health care services to the Asian and Latino communities. As a family medicine specialist, Xeng is dedicated to improving access to quality care for underserved populations. During the award ceremony, he presented his educational videos in Hmong, which have gained a wide following across the USA and Southeast Asia. He also shared a poignant photograph of himself as a young child with his family and other refugees in Thailand, highlighting his personal journey and commitment to serving others.

Sayeh Akhavan, DO, is the 2024 scholarship recipient. Currently in her second year as a pediatric resident at Valley Children’s Hospital, she has received the first $55,000 installment of the scholarship. As a first-generation American with an Iranian father and an American mother, Sayeh brings a rich cultural perspective and an impressive academic record, according to SJVMSF. She is committed to serving underserved areas in the Central Valley upon completing her training in 2026.

To learn more about the SJVMSF and to donate, please visit the website at www.sjvmedicalscholarship.org.