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A heart for community service: Students awarded MLK scholarships

Three people holding certificates
From left: scholarship finalist Cameron Ward, medical student; scholarship recipient Christina Martinez, doctor of physical therapy student; and scholarship finalist Brandon Winward.

The dedication of three UT Southwestern students to serving their community led to them being honored with scholarships at the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration.

Christina Martinez, a second-year physical therapy student in the School of Health Professions, won the $5,000 Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship for Community Service. Finalists Brandon Winward and Cameron Ward, both second-year UTSW medical students, received $500 scholarships.

At the event, Ms. Martinez spoke about the importance of giving back.

 “As a second-year student, the generosity of this award has made my dreams of becoming a physical therapist more of a reality,” she said. “During my two years at UT Southwestern, I have tried to emulate Dr. King’s passion for community service and his love for people through community involvement. This scholarship has not only lifted some financial burden, but also allowed me to showcase my passion for service.”

  • Christina Martinez started volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House during her undergraduate studies and has continued to volunteer while earning her doctorate in physical therapy. She also has volunteered regularly with the UTSW Parkinson’s Boxing program, as well as with the R.I.S.E. Adaptive Sports program and Back On My Feet, a community program that combats homelessness. This year, she served as the United to Serve Health Fair physical therapy and fitness booth coordinator. More recently, she has started volunteering for Brighter Bites, a nonprofit that creates communities of health through fresh food.
  • Brandon Winward served as a full-time missionary in the Philippines from 2013 to 2015, but found he wanted to do more about diseases in the area – so he became interested in medicine. While at UT Southwestern, he has taken on a handful of responsibilities in free clinics, student organizations, and service trips. He is co-chair of UTSW’s student-run Free Clinic Committee, which oversees seven clinics, and serves as manager of the largest of these clinics, the Union Gospel Mission. He participated in the very first UTSW global service trip to Antigua, Guatemala, in 2019, where he and colleagues saw more than 500 patients in five days.
  • Cameron Ward has committed himself to impactful projects focused on pipeline programs that seek to increase underrepresented minorities in STEM careers, improving the lives of the underprivileged and encouraging others to help their communities. He served as a mentor in the Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP), helped coordinate the Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit, and joined United to Serve. During a spring break trip to the Dominican Republic, he and other participants in this global health outreach helped see more than 500 patients over five days. He also regularly serves breakfast at the Cathedral of Hope.
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