How can we prepare for the challenges of the future of healthcare? One way is by listening to the physicians of tomorrow. As part of a commitment to supporting the doctors of the future, BoardVitals awarded its sixth annual Medical School Scholarship to three winners.
For the 2025 BoardVitals Medical School Scholarship, we asked current medical students and residents to answer the question: “The impending physician shortage presents a significant challenge to the medical community. In your opinion, what is the most impactful change that could be implemented in medical education to address the shortage? Discuss how your recommended change could enhance the education of future physicians and positively impact the shortage.”
This year, we received numerous entries, and our team of judges narrowed them down to the top 12 standouts. For the first time, the public was invited to vote. Thank you for helping to select our winners!
First Place: Rimel Mwamba
Rimel is an MD/MBA student at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and the Booth School of Business. She is originally from Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, and migrated to the United States by way of Farciennes, Belgium. She grew up in the Southeastern U.S. and attended the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, with dual enrollment at Duke University for her undergraduate degree through the Robertson Scholars Program. Prior to attending the University of Chicago, Rimel spent three years at the Duke University Global Health Institute, where she conducted research in Durham, North Carolina and Moshi, Tanzania. Rimel is interested in global surgical care with an emphasis on musculoskeletal conditions. She is an avid traveler and enjoys any international dishes that feature fried plantains.
Second Place: Andrea McDowell
Andrea is a medical student at RUSH Medical College, and she is interested in specializing in General Surgery. She was inspired by her younger brother, Malachi, to become a doctor at age seven. Andrea is passionate about mentoring first-generation college students as she is one herself! In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, reading, and watching Will Trent with her mom. She shares details about her medical school journey on her Instagram: @yourdailymcdose
Third Place: Payush Chatta
Payush Chatta, DO, is a Cardiology Fellow at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He earned his Bachelor’s in Science from the University of California Los Angeles after which he attended medical school at A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona. Payush is excited to impact his community as a general cardiologist, and he says pursuing medicine is one of the most difficult yet rewarding journeys. He plans to use his scholarship to further medical education/services in rural communities. Outside of medicine, he is an avid hiker, and has a goal to hike the highest peaks in all 50 states.
Congratulations to all of our winners!
