Ayne Furman, DPM was a Past President of AAWP and devoted much of her career to Sports Medicine and Biomechanics. In honor of her service to her patients, her profession, and to AAWP, we are establishing the Ayne Furman, DPM Memorial Scholarship. This special honor will be bestowed upon a fourth-year student applying for the AAWP Founders Scholarships in recognition of excellence in Sports Medicine and Biomechanics. If you wish to contribute to this particular scholarship, you can do so here.
Are you a student pursuing a degree in podiatric medicine? Interested in the AAWP Founders Scholarship? Each year, we give a talented group of students a valuable scholarship prize of $500 to assist with the fees associated with pursuing their degree in podiatric medicine.
Attention Class of 2023:
Applications will for the AAWP Founders Scholarship in the fall of 2022
Help support students studying to become podiatric physicians with our scholarship fund. Your donation to the AAWP Founders Scholarship Endowment Fund will help provide the financial support a deserving podiatric medicine student needs to help complete their degree. The entire amount of your contribution will directly apply to the AAWP Founders Scholarship Endowment Fund and is tax deductible.
Nicole Curreri – Ayne Furman, DPM, Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Student Doctor Curreri holds her BS degree in Biology from Hood College and served as the Vice President of the TUSPM AAWP Student Chapter. During her tenure, she organized and supported multiple meetings, fundraisers and projects. She participated in gait lab research under Dr. Jinsup Song, which has inspired her to continue to pursue biomechanical and gait research throughout her career.
Shalvi Prasad – Founders Scholarship Recipient
Student Doctor Prasad holds her BS degree in Biological Sciences with Emphasis in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior from the University of California, Davis. She was an active participant in the student chapter of AAWP at CSPM, serving as Workshop Coordinator as a second-year student. She was the President of the Podiatric Education Society and class representative to the California Podiatric Medical Association at her school.
Susana Londono – Founders Scholarship Recipient
Student Doctor Londono holds her BFA degree with a background in Art and Design and is a member of the student chapter of AAWP at BUSPM, where she carries a 4.0 GPA. She also undertook a dual degree course of study towards earning her MBA while in podiatric medical school. She hopes to eventually combine her creative skills and business acumen in private practice.
The American Association for Women Podiatrists (AAWP) is pleased to announce the 2020-2021 Founders Scholarship awardees. Each of these fourth-year student doctors are emerging leaders, community-minded and dedicated to their studies, representing the best of what AAWP stands for: “cultivating personal and professional development of female podiatric physicians, through education, advocacy, leadership, mentorship and networking endeavors.”
In this unprecedented year, AAWP decided to extend our spirit of outreach and service to the profession to include five scholarship awards. This year’s honorees are: Tiffany Cerda (BUSPM); Daliya Heng (Western); Marika Jackson (BUSPM); Berlinda Pickens (BUSPM); and Meaghan Wood (SCPM). AAWP also wishes to thank the members of the Scholarship Committee for their careful and thoughtful evaluations of the candidates. Students and residents should note that membership in the national AAWP organization is free, and one can join at www.americanwomenpodiatrists.com.
Tiffany Cerda, MS (BUSPM) holds her Masters in Biomedical Science and was the Student Involvement Liaison and Event Coordinator for her school’s student chapter of AAWP. She participated in multiple service and networking projects with her student chapter. She is also President of the Hispanic Podiatric Medical Student Association, Secretary of the Florida Podiatric Medical Student Association and an Editor and Photo Journalist for Hallux Magazine.
Daliya Heng, BA (Western) holds her Bachelor’s in Social Ecology and was the Founding President (2016-2017) and current Clinical Student Advisor for her school’s student chapter of AAWP. She participated in and organized multiple professional, academic, networking and fundraising projects with her student chapter. She was also the Vice President of the Southern California Podiatric Medical School Association (2017) and held an Alumni Relations position with her Student Government Association (2016).
Marika Jackson, BA (BUSPM) completed her undergraduate studies in African Studies/Pre-Medicine. She served as the Public Relations Officer and later President of her school’s student chapter of AAWP. She participated and adopted a leadership role in multiple service, professional and networking projects with her student chapter and co-authored an award-winning essay on the student chapter’s Yucatan Crippled Childrens’ Toy Drive.
Berlinda Pickens, MS (BUSPM) holds her Masters in Biomedical Sciences. She was both Secretary and Treasurer of her school’s student chapter of AAWP. She participated in the Miami Rescue Missions Good Friday Homeless Foot Care Clinic with her student chapter in 2018 and showcases an outstanding level of academic achievement during podiatric medical school.
Meaghan Wood, BS (SCPM) studied Dance, Health and Exercise Science as an undergraduate and was the Vice President of her school’s student chapter of AAWP from 2017-2020. She organized and/or participated in multiple service projects, speaker panels, networking and administrative events for the student chapter and on her own. She was also Treasurer of the Pi Delta Honor Society, a Student Ambassador for prospective interviewing students and participated in consistent mentorship in a podiatry office in her first and second year of podiatric medical school.
Chelsea Ofili
Chelsea is a student at Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine and is the current president of her chapter. She is a proud 2019 recipient of other awards including American Podiatric Medicine Student Award Scholarship, Ross E. Taubman and Betsy Herman Taubman Scholarship Award, and the APMA Educational Foundation Scholarship. She has a strong academic record.
Bryanna D. Vesely
Bryanna is a student at Western University of Health Science Podiatry School in Pomona, California. She has been a member of AAWP since 2016. In addition to her BS in Science in Human Nutrition, Food and Exercise she also has a Master of Public Health degree. She is currently the Class of 2020 SGA representative, editor of Body and Sole, Social Media Ambassador of the APMA and student ambassador of her podiatry school. She has an excellent academic school record.
Ashley A. Mariano
Ashley is a student at Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine. She has been a member of AAWP since 2016 and is the current student president. During her current role, she has worked alongside the Ohio Podiatric Medical Student Association (OPMSA) to host the annual student clinical symposium, organized “Rally for Ryan” a charity event for a student battling cancer, and the annual flag football tournament. She has a strong academic record.
Elizabeth Oh
Elizabeth is a student at Western University of Health Sciences. She has been a member of AAWP since 2017. She was a health liaison for the Peace Corps in Peru from 2014-2016. Here current leadership roles include Executive Board Member of SCPMSA, student Liaison of ABPM and Alternate delegate of the APMSA. She has an excellent academic record.
Edee Wildman
Edee is the immediate past president of the AAWP student chapter at the Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. She is secretary of the Podiatric Practice Management and Journal Club. In addition, she is a founding member of the Iowa Podiatric Medical Society Communication Committee. She has an excellent academic record.
Christina Han-Souksavong Ma
Christina is a third year student at The California School of Podiatric Medicine and APMSA AAWP Liaison. She also is the Co-director of San Ysidro Medical Mission and Clinica Tepati in Sacramento, California. She received her Associates Degree in Nursing in 2012 and her BS of Science, Neurology, Physiology and Behavior at UC Davis in 2009. She also holds current roles as President of the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons at her school and Advisor of the American of the APMSA. She also has an excellent academic student record.
Jennifer Busser
Jennifer is the current AAWP chapter treasurer at the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. She planned and executed a Forever Om Yoga Class social event for AAWP members and potential members. She has served as a Rosalind Franklin University Ambassador during her first and second years and a Scholl College during her second year. She has excellent academic standing and is committed to growing the Scholl AAWP Chapter.
Yumna Siddiqui
Yumma is a third year student at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and Vice President of the AAWP chapter. She has helped organize donation drives, foot screenings, and fundraisers for the lives of the underserved populations in the Harlem community. She also serves as a mentor for the Big Brother/Big Sister program and is a student ambassador for high school/college students to spread awareness of the podiatric medicine profession. She has a strong academic record.
Kimberly Inocco
Kimberly is a student at NYCPM and is the President of the AAWP student chapter. She is the treasurer of the Student Association at her school and mentors with the Big Sister Program. Her academic participation include teacher assistant for Lower Extremity Anatomy and tutor for biochemistry and Physiology. In addition she serves as the Education committee liaison for the Medical Ethics & Art for Doctoring Course. For the upcoming year as President of AAWP student chapter at NYCPM, she has planned biopsy and Athletic taping workshops and is collaborating with Care for the Homeless. She also has an excellent academic record.
Dong Yu
Dong is a student at TUSPM and the Vice President of AAWP student chapter. She is an ambassador of Winter Internship Program and consultant for Xinmiao Scoliosis Prevention Center in China. For the upcoming year as a board member of AAWP student chapter at TUSPM she is involved a 5K run for Breast Cancer. She is a member of the Sterling-Harford-DiPrimio Honorary Anatomical Society. She also has an excellent academic record.
Laura-Ashley Przondo
Laura-Ashley is a student at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Podiatric Medicine and the President and Founder of the AAWP student chapter. She has coordinated lectures on success in podiatry and career advancement as well as skills workshops for her chapter. For the upcoming year, she will be coordinating community service activities and fundraising to provide student scholarships. She is SGA class representative and volunteers podiatry and medical clinics with Pomona Community Health, Action Team, Happy Feet, Care Harbor, Special Olympics and local churches. She also has a strong academic record.
Rowan Mahmoud
Rowan is a student at New York College of Podiatric Medicine and the AAWP student liason for the APMSA. She has revived this position and hopes to facilitate the communication between the students and the national organization. She is also the Public Relations Chair for APMSA and will be launching their website in September. She is involved with Big Sister/Big Brother Program and Student Ambassador at NYCPM. In addition, she volunteers at foot screenings, involved with reseach at NYCPM’s neuroscience research lab and tutors students in physiology. She also has a strong academic record.
Megan Ishibashi
Megan is a student at California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University. She was Vice President of the Student Chapter of AAWP, and will now assume the Presidency. She directed the AAWP Annual Dinner and Banquet, obtained sponsorship for the event, and hosted the panel at the event with Residents and Attendings. She also volunteers at a student-run clinic that provides services to underserved persons, serves on Fit Feet for Special Olympics, is a member of Samuel Merritt University President Ambassador program which promotes unity and diversity among healthcare profession at the University and also does outreach, and was involved with Community Health and Adolescent Mentoring Program for Success, which introduces underrepresented minority high school students to health professions. In addition, she mentored in the Youth in Medicine program, and the National High School Scholars Program. She is also the class Vice President. She has volunteered at the Podiatry 3-D Workshop which is an educational outreach for pre-podiatry students. Megan also has an excellent academic record.
Stephanie Ko
Stephanie Ko is at student at California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University where she served as the AAWP Student Chapter Secretary and President. In that role, she coordinated the Annual Banquet which included a panel of Residents and Attendings. She has worked on coordinating the Nike Women’s Half Marathon. She has volunteered at the Podiatry 3-D Workshop, which is an educational outreach for pre-podiatry students. She has a strong academic record.
Rachelle Randall
Rachelle Randall is a student at Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University and has served as President Elect and President of the Student Chapter of AAWP. In this role, she initiated National Compliment Day which encouraged women to write anonymous compliments to other students, faculty or staff in order to promote women supporting women. The University’s Helix Leadership Award was awarded for this event. She was part of the bra drive for the women’s homeless shelter. The Chapter will also be hosting an event to encourage work-life balance, called the Hot Yoga, Hot Cocoa event. She has an excellent academic record.
Congratulations to our winners and we wish you continued success!
The American Association for Women Podiatrists is proud to announce our 2015 Founders Scholarship winners. We wish them the best in their careers.
Megan Allen is a student at CCPM. She is currently the Event Coordinator for the AAWP Student Chapter and contributed to the organization of the school-wide banquet, and AAWP student Chapter volunteers at Susan G Komen Race for the Cure and the Nike Women’s Marathon.
Sophia DiRusso is a student at KSUCPM and is the Director of Local Affairs. In this capacity, she organizes a Red Cross blood drive and also partakes in AAWP Student Chapter’s volunteering to provide podiatry care to indigent patients.
Mara Kennedy is a student at TUSPM. She is the current President of the AAWP Student Chapter. Dress for Success participation is a major initiative of the chapter.
Lacy Beth Peck is a student at CCPM. She is the current President of the AAWP Student Chapter and prior to this was the Workshop Coordinator for the chapter. She has participated in many Student Chapter activities, including Banquet and Dinner Panel, and volunteered at the Nike Women’s Marathon, Race for the Cure and Napa Valley Marathon.
AAWP is proud to award our Founder Scholarships for 2014 to Alison D’Andelet and Urja Shah.
Alison is a student at Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery and is also pursuing a Master’s Degree in Heathcare Administration. She has held several positions in the AAWP Student Chapter, including Secretary and President and remains an active member. She has organized numerous AAWP events during her tenure as President and worked to create a balance of service activities, social activities and academic activities. She excels academically with a 3.9 GPA.
Urjah Shah is a student at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine and is ranked 9th in her class. She has been a Secretary in the AAWP Student Chapter and will assume the Presidency this year. She is also involved in several academic clubs at TUSPM and is the Vice President of the Stirling Hartford DiPrimio Honorary Society, which is an academic honor.
We wish continued professional success to these exemplary young women.
