VUSM student receives AMA minority scholars award
Brittney Pryor, a rising third-year student at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, has received the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation’s Minority Scholars award.
Brittney Pryor
The award recognizes outstanding medical students who are committed to improving minority health and includes a $10,000 scholarship.
Pryor is one of 13 recipients nationally, and she was selected to receive the award funded by the Ronald M. Davis, M.D. Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The National Business Group on Health (NBGH) partially supports this scholarship in honor of the late Ronald M. Davis, M.D., past president of the AMA, and it is granted to a minority medical student who has an interest in primary care.
Andre Churchwell, M.D., associate dean for Diversity for VUSM and Scott Rodgers, M.D., associate dean for Medical Student Affairs, nominated Pryor for the award, saying she has demonstrated a continuing commitment to helping those less fortunate.
Pryor volunteers for many community projects including work at the student-run Shade Tree Clinic in North Nashville. She is also the immediate past president of the Student National Medical Association.
“We are so proud of Brittney, she has shown exceptional caring and leadership skills,” Churchwell said. “We have been fortunate to have three winners of the AMA Minority Scholars Award, but this is the first time we have had a student receive the NBGH Ronald M. Davis, M.D., Memorial Scholarship Award.”
Pryor said she plans to pursue primary care medicine, particularly Pediatrics because undeserved children have a special place in her heart.
As a child, Pryor she was treated for a number of ailments, and looking back says she is grateful both for the high quality care provided by her own doctors, and for the financial sacrifices her hardworking, single mother made, even with insurance, to cover the cost of her care.