About the Academy of Medicine

The Wright State University Academy of Medicine is a community-based service organization dedicated to supporting excellence in medicine through education, research and service. The Academy contributes to student loans and scholarships, recognizes outstanding examples of professionalism, and provides opportunities for fellowship in the medical community. Since its founding in 1977, the Academy of Medicine has made a difference in the lives of students at Wright State University's Boonshoft School of Medicine. Thanks in part to the Academy's dedicated annual and life members, the school remains a catalyst for better health care by preparing outstanding physicians. The organization supports medical education through providing student loans and awarding student and faculty achievement. Through membership, the Academy has circulated $2 million in student loans — saving over 400 students the high costs of commercial loans. With loan repayments and Academy memberships, nearly $125,000 is being added to the pool annually. All this comes from an annual membership of $250. In addition, physicians in their residency qualify for a discounted associate membership of $50.

Annual Distinguished Guest Lecture and Dinner

This annual event honors outstanding medical students, residents and faculty from Boonshoft School of Medicine while recognizing the dedicated work of members of the Wright State University Academy of Medicine in an unforgettable evening of camaraderie and celebration. Each year, the event features luminary speakers from the field of medicine, arts or entertainment.

The 2012 Guest Lecture was presented by Ryan Buchholz, M.D. (’04), cofounder of the Boonshoft School of Medicine Global Health Initiative, Sam Corbo, MS2, current member of the Global Health Initiative, and Sylvia Esser-Gleason, D.O., fFounder of Project Congo.

About Project Congo

In late 2008, after more than 25 years practicing medicine in the Dayton area, Dr. Sylvia Esser-Gleason made a life-changing trip to the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Goma lies at the epicenter of a conflict that has lasted nearly 20 years and claimed more than six million lives. In Goma, Dr. Esser-Gleason found medical clinics overflowing with the ill and malnourished, vast cities of tents where ragged refugees lived in dismal U.N. camps, and countless women who were survivors of rape and horrendous violence. Upon her return to the United States, Dr. Esser-Gleason founded Project Congo, a nonprofit charity devoted to providing medical supplies and other resources to the people of central Africa. Working with Congolese doctors in numerous regional partner facilities, Project Congo provides needed support and medical care for women, children and victims of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the past three years, Project Congo has shipped tons of medications, food and medical supplies and has done unending work to bring relief to the war-stricken people of the Congo.

Dr. Esser-Gleason, now coordinator of Project Congo, has helped thousands of people in central Africa, working to raise awareness and bring hope to a country whose streets, as she wrote in her journal, ”were crawling with humanity.”

• Visit the Project Congo website

About the Global Health Initiative (GHI)

For the past 12 years, the Global Health Initiative has provided Wright State medical students opportunities to study abroad, experience other cultures, and learn about medicine first-hand in an international and intercultural setting. Through GHI, doctors and students share medical experience and knowledge across borders, gaining insights and perspective on global health.

Founded in 2000 by first-year medical students, the Global Health Initiative facilitates study abroad, offering students contact information for physicians, medical mission organizations, and financial resources. Since 2007, GHI has helped medical students travel to more than 14 countries, where the students work with local doctors in clinics and hospitals. GHI also educates directly, giving numerous elective lectures on global health and international medicine. Through its efforts, the Global Health Initiative has further inspired compassion, empathy, and a passion for social justice in Boonshoft School of Medicine students.

• Visit the Global Health Initiative website

Board of Trustees

Student and Faculty Awards

Each year, the Academy of Medicine presents awards to outstanding students and faculty. The awards are presented each spring at the Annual Dinner, based upon academic achievement for the current year.

View the past winners of the Academy of Medicine Awards.

Low Interest Loan Program

The Academy of Medicine's low-interest loan program for Wright State medical students is one of the best available anywhere in the nation. It has the lowest interest rate (5 percent) and the longest deferral of payment (three years after graduation).

Since 1985, member-supported Academy programs have generated $2.5 million in simple-interest loans to over 400 Wright State medical students. Used strategically in place of more expensive loans that compound during medical school and residency, Academy loans have saved medical students $448,800 in additional debt burden. What's more, the Academy has a 99.8 percent pay back rate on its loans.

Scholarship Fund

The Academy of Medicine has created a new scholarship fund to address one of the Boonshoft School of Medicine's highest priorities: philanthropic support for scholarships. As the cost of attending medical school continues to climb nationwide, Boonshoft School of Medicine graduates are now entering residencies with an average debt of more than $174,000. This new scholarship fund was created to help reduce their reliance on costly loans to cover their tuition.

To contribute to the Academy of Medicine Scholarship Fund, make your gift online. For more information about the fund, contact Nicki Crellin at nicki.crellin@wright.edu or (937) 775-2972.

Join the Academy of Medicine

To join the Academy of Medicine, make your gift online.

• Life Membership - $1,000, plus $100 for each year under age 60
• Annual Membership - $250
• Associate Membership (Residents) - $50

For more information, contact Nicki Crellin at nicki.crellin@wright.edu or (937) 775-2972.