My wife, Sucharitha, and I feel strongly that something has to change, and we, too, have to change. In an effort to support diversity in the surgical field, we have decided to launch the Diverse Scholars in Surgery Program with a $25,000 gift to establish a new endowed fund at the MCV Foundation.

According to the AAS, only 10% of all surgical trainees identify as an underrepresented minority. As many of you know, in certain subspecialties like urology, these statistics are even more disparate. Many minority students never experience external surgical rotations; and we know these rotations enhance the medical education experience while also enhancing residency applications.

The Diverse Scholars in Surgery Program will embrace the principles of diversity and inclusion and offer expanded opportunities for medical students. Funds will support VCU medical students who complete external surgical rotations and/or students from other medical schools who complete surgical rotations here at VCU. Surgical rotations include those undertaken during the M4 year, including general surgery, urology and plastic surgery. Funds will be used to reimburse student participants for costs associated with travel, lodging and meals.

I would love to see this grow to a large enough endowment that we can support multiple students every year. I hope you will consider joining me in making a gift to this fund.

If you’d like to make a gift please visit: https://www.support.vcu.edu/give/fund?fund=69629

Together, we all stand against racism.

Sincerely,
Vig