Meet the Winners of the 2026 BoardVitals Medical School Scholarship

How can we prepare for the future of healthcare? One way is by listening to the physicians who will help shape it.

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of healthcare leaders, BoardVitals is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Medical School Scholarship. Each year, the scholarship recognizes medical students and trainees who demonstrate a passion for advancing healthcare and improving patient outcomes.

For the 2026 BoardVitals Medical School Scholarship, applicants were asked to answer the following question:

“As new technologies like AI, data science, and digital health tools rapidly shape the future of medicine, what changes do you think medical education needs most in order to keep up? How could these changes help future physicians, and how would you personally help drive or influence change?”

We received an impressive number of thoughtful submissions from medical students and trainees across the country. After careful review, which included an opportunity for the public to vote, our panel of judges selected three outstanding winners whose essays highlighted innovative ideas, leadership, and a commitment to the future of medicine.

Congratulations to our 2026 scholarship recipients!

First Place: Adam Khanboubi

Adam Khanboubi won first place for his thoughtful perspective on the future of medical education and his commitment to serving underserved communities.

Adam believes that where a person comes from should never determine the quality of care, opportunities, or support they receive. This belief has shaped his desire to pursue a career in medicine and advocate for individuals who face barriers to healthcare access.

His long-term goal is to work with underserved communities and help reduce healthcare disparities through improved access, education, and support. Adam views medicine as an opportunity not only to treat illness but also to create meaningful and lasting impact in the lives of patients and communities.

Second Place: Ross Thompson

Ross Thompson was awarded second place for his insights on how medical education can evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

Ross is a fourth-year medical student at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine with a passion for advocacy, leadership, and service. He has published research on pediatric energy drink consumption and medical simulation, participated in DO Day on the Hill three times, served as Region 2 Trustee for National SOMA, and was recognized with the 2025 OPAC James M. Lally, DO Award for his advocacy efforts.

Outside of medicine, Ross enjoys mentoring students, volunteering with hospice patients, playing soccer, and taking walks with his wife. Before medical school, he worked in four very different industries, including IT coaching, voter registration, sales engineering, and even as a pirate on a Florida day cruise!

Third Place: Himanshu Rambhai

Himanshu Rambhai won third place for his compelling vision of how future physicians can embrace emerging technologies while maintaining a strong focus on education, mentorship, and patient care.

Himanshu is an incoming Diagnostic Radiology resident at the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville and a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine–South Georgia.

During medical school, he was actively involved in leadership initiatives, mentorship programs, and radiology research. He also helped develop curriculum for a mentorship program designed to support local high school students interested in pursuing healthcare careers.

Himanshu plans to use his scholarship to support his residency training while continuing his work in research, medical education, and mentoring future physicians. Outside of medicine, Himanshu enjoys swimming, cooking, and taking on handyman projects.

BoardVitals is proud to support Adam, Ross, and Himanshu as they continue their medical journeys and help shape the future of healthcare.