Arkansas Rural Health Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery

Overview
The Arkansas Rural Health Scholarship was created by Dr. Rhys Branman to help and encourage Arkansas students who plan to practice medicine in rural parts of the state. Its purpose is simple: reduce the financial barrier to medical training and support future clinicians who will serve underserved communities.

Award details
- Amount: $2,500.
- Use of funds: toward tuition and educational expenses (for example, textbooks, supplies such as paper/pens/notebooks, and required technology).
- Disbursement: the award is paid directly to the student as a cash prize. Recipients must provide information needed to issue a 1099 (including Social Security number), and any tax liability that results from receiving the award is the student’s responsibility.

Why this scholarship exists
Rural Arkansas faces a real shortage of primary care and other essential health professionals, and demand for clinicians is projected to grow. At the same time, rising education costs make it harder for students to pursue health careers—especially those who might choose to stay and work in rural communities. Financial aid aimed at recruitment and retention is one concrete way to address that gap. With this scholarship, Dr. Branman hopes to attract and support students who will train and ultimately practice in Arkansas’s rural areas.

Who is eligible
To apply you must meet all of the following:
- Be a current resident of Arkansas.
- Be an undergraduate or postgraduate student enrolled in a medicine-related program at an institution of higher learning in Arkansas.
- Demonstrate a commitment to practicing rural health medicine in shortage areas of Arkansas after completing your medical education or residency.
- Provide one letter of recommendation that includes valid contact information.
- Complete the application form, submit original essay responses, and upload the required letter of reference.

If you meet these criteria and are interested in rural practice, this scholarship is designed to help you take the next step.