When she thinks about the success she has had throughout her academic career, M3 Gina Shoemaker says the support systems that have been in place along the way have been key.
As a high school student in the metro Detroit area, she competed in a Science Olympiad and through that program she received a scholarship to a local community college. Later, as an undergraduate student, she was part of the Honors College at Oakland University.
The experiences – those supports – allowed Shoemaker to explore her love of science, to delve into anatomy and medicine. Now, as she pursues a career in medicine at WMed, Shoemaker said a similar support system – made possible by the medical school and the Kalamazoo community – is helping her achieve her dream of becoming a physician.
The most recent example came this fall when Shoemaker learned she had been recognized as the top student in the medical school’s Class of 2022 by being honored with the James R. Ryan Family Foundation Scholarship.
The scholarship is given annually at WMed to the top-ranked rising third-year student at the conclusion of their second year, as well as the top-ranked rising fourth-year student at the conclusion of third-year clerkships. WMed students do not apply for the merit-based scholarship.
“It has really provided me with an extra motivation, to keep going,” Shoemaker said of the scholarship. “Sometimes, you can feel like you’re stuck in a rut and it feels good to receive this award that’s like a pat on the back.”
Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Debra Ryan have made significant financial contributions to the medical school since 2012 through the James R. Ryan Family Foundation. Their donations have led to endowments for the annual scholarship, as well as for the Curtis M. Hanson M.D. and E. Dennis Lyne M.D. visiting professorships.
The namesake of the foundation is Dr. James R. Ryan, Dr. Thomas Ryan’s uncle, who was an alumnus of Western Michigan University and an accomplished orthopaedic surgeon. Dr. James R. Ryan taught at the Michigan State University Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies, a predecessor to WMed, and dedicated his entire life to teaching and helping orthopaedic surgery residents.
Dr. Thomas Ryan and Debra Ryan are both Kalamazoo natives who attended Comstock High School before graduating from WMU. Dr. Ryan completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the Southwest Michigan Area Health Education Center, also a predecessor of WMed. He works as an orthopaedic surgeon in Kalamazoo.
In addition to his work as an orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Ryan is a clinical assistant professor for orthopaedic surgery at the medical school. He also serves as councilor for the WMed Academic Honor Society.
“The financial component cannot be understated,” said M4 Lucas Rich, who received the Ryan scholarship this year and last year as a third-year student. “It’s very helpful to students in any position in medical school but I think, even more important, is the notion of giving to students or people who are on the same journey you were on. Regardless of the financial quantity, it sets a legacy of passing down and it certainly inspires me to someday give back to medical students and those pursuing higher education.”
Rich, who hopes to complete his residency training in Internal Medicine after graduation this spring, said he was honored to receive the Ryan scholarship for a second time. He said he was uncertain whether he would be recognized as the top student in the Class of 2021 this year, as the skills required for academic success during the first and second year of medical school differ from those needed during third- and fourth-year clerkships.
“It does feel really good to receive recognition for all of the hard work you’ve put in,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shoemaker said the Ryan's generosity and the scholarship are inspiring and reminders of how supportive the WMed community has been to her and other learners.
“It feels very collaborative here,” Shoemaker said. “Between the scholarship and other ways that the Ryans have supported WMed, it really makes a difference. It’s a long journey to become a doctor and to be supported in any way is helpful for being able to do your best.”