With an endowed gift in support of scholarship, Dr. Ricardo Gomez (M.D. ’10) is paying forward the assistance he received as a student, allowing others to pursue a top-tier medical education at their dream school without worrying about money.
“I want to be able to help someone else who may be in my shoes,’’ says Dr. Gomez, who was the first in his family to go to college and then medical school. “That way, they can focus on their medical education and on becoming the best future physician possible.”
The gift from Dr. Gomez will be used to establish the Ricardo Gomez, M.D. ’10 Scholarship, to be awarded to future students as part of their financial aid package. Endowed scholarships are the backbone of Weill Cornell Medicine’s innovative scholarship program, established in the fall of 2019. A gift of $50,000 or more creates a named scholarship endowment that will help defray the cost of tuition and related expenses for years to come.
“Scholarship support can level the playing field by providing access to education from students from diverse backgrounds, including those who are facing financial challenges or other barriers,” says Dr. Gomez. “It can open doors to educational opportunities and help students achieve their full potential.”
Dr. Gomez says that Weill Cornell Medicine helped shape him as a physician by instilling a “deep commitment” to critical and creative thinking – a skill set that serves him well as one of the few pulmonary physicians in Apple Valley, California, a medically underserved community with scant resources. In addition to working in his private practice, he spends weekends treating patients at four area hospitals.
As individuals who dedicate their lives to improving human health, Weill Cornell Medicine alumni have a special responsibility to help nurture the next generation of health-care leaders by making a gift to their alma mater, says Dr. Gomez.
“Whatever amount they’re able to donate will make a huge difference in someone’s life,’’ he says.
“We all have the power to make a positive impact in the world, and by working together and focusing on what truly matters, we can make a better future for all.”