The Iowa Medical Society Foundation has selected 19 medical students — 11 from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and eight from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine — as its 2026 Global Health Scholarship recipients.
The scholars will use the awards to participate in clinical training experiences in countries across the globe through the remainder of the year, gaining hands-on experience in diverse and medically underserved settings.
IMSF Board Chair Christina Taylor said the program is designed to do more than broaden students’ clinical perspectives.
“This work directly supports the goals of Operation I.O.W.A. by strengthening Iowa’s physician pipeline, expanding cultural competence, and preparing future physicians with real-world skills they can bring back to serve patients and communities across our state,” Taylor said.
The scholarship comes as Iowa grapples with a growing physician shortage, particularly in rural communities. Since the program’s inception, IMSF has sent more than 145 medical students to more than 25 countries for medical training and on-site clinical experience.
The 11 University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine scholars are first-year students Ahlaam Abdulwali, Jonah Albrecht, Sudeep Gadde, Sophia Hueser, Cory Karasek, Trever Maiers, Matthew Taylor and Hannah Zipf, along with third-year students Jane Berg, John Muckler and Brian Patrick Young.
The eight Des Moines University scholars are third-year students Oluwaseyi Adeoshun, Mallory Britz and Jessica Duffy, and fourth-year students Gretchen Blain, Gianna Cross, Brianna Desharnais, Natalie Lohmann and Emma Wolfman.
The Iowa Medical Society Foundation supports physician leadership development, medical education and community health programs across Iowa.