The Edwards Scholar Program

In June of 2009, the Joan C. Edwards Charitable Foundation launched an initiative to answer Mrs. Edwards’ final wishes that the remaining portion of the Edwards’ Estate be used to fund the education of medical students.

To that end, the foundation has developed The Edwards Scholar Program at Case Western Reserve University and is working on expanding Mrs. Edwards’ vision into numerous communities in America.

The backbone of The Edwards Scholar Program is the pipeline of the Edwards Scholars selected from graduates of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District that represent each of 8 years of study required to obtain a medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. 

Starting with the first Edwards Scholar selected in 2012, Nichelle Ruffin, the program will boast its first graduate from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in 2020. As an Edwards Scholar, the Joan C. Edwards Scholarship funds tuition, room, board and other expenses of attendance during the course of the recipient’s undergraduate career at Case Western Reserve University, as well as their four years at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

Joan C. Edwards Scholarship

The Joan C. Edwards Scholarship was created to encourage a pipeline of talented students from the public school system into the robust medical community of Cleveland. Each year, one graduate of Cleveland Metropolitan School District has the opportunity to be selected as the Edwards Scholar.

Defining qualities of the Edwards Scholar are a genuine passion for the medical field, a commitment to academics and a connection to the surrounding community. The scholarship award covers tuition, room, board and other expenses of attendance during the course of the recipient’s undergraduate career at Case Western Reserve University, as well as their four years at the Case School of Medicine.

Becoming the Edwards Scholar

The sought after qualities of the Edwards Scholar are:

  • Genuine passion for the medical field
  • Commitment to academics
  • Commitment to community service
  • Exhibited leadership
  • Participation in the Robbins Bridge Program
  • Creativity and general problem solving abilities
  • College readiness
  • Collaborative learning abilities
  • Maturity

Recommended coursework that a prospective Edwards Scholar should complete within their high school experience is as follows:

Math

Eight semesters of credit including:

  • Pre-calculus
  • AP Calculus
  • Science

Eight semesters of credit including:

  • Physics or AP Physics
  • 2 Years of Chemistry including AP Chemistry
  • Biology or AP Biology
  • Minimum one year of AP Science

English

Eight semesters of credit including:

  • AP Language & Composition
  • AP Literature & Composition

History/Social Studies

Eight semesters of credit including:

  • AP/Honors courses are preferred

Language

Six semesters of credit:

  • Spanish is preferred

Applying for the Joan C. Edwards Scholarship

Eight semesters of credit including:

  • Must apply to Case Western Reserve University through the Early Action process.
  • Indicate an interest in pre-med where it asks for academic interests.
  • The Case Western Reserve University Office of Admission then selects finalists out of the students who are offered admission to CWRU.  Students who are selected for an interview are notified of the interview with their offer of admission.
  • Interviews of selected finalists are completed toward the end of the year by a panel of representatives from each of the invested institutions.

Voices of Our Scholars

Empowering Future Generations Through Science and Medicine Education

Nichola Bomani Gonzalez

Resident Physician, Lehigh Valley Health

We’re tapping into our community as Edwards Scholars, and making a network for ourselves to pass down knowledge to help others in the community succeed.

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Suhib Jamal

Pediatrician, UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital

I didn’t have anyone in my family to guide me through the process of medical school, so connecting with other Scholars helped me see what was possible and how to get there.

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Nichelle Ruffin

Assistant Professor, Clinical Family Medicine & Community | Penn Medicine

As the first doctor in my family, I leaned on the guidance and support I found at the Cleveland School of Science & Medicine to navigate a path I knew nothing about.

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