Each year, Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple awards two $2,000 scholarships to select third-year College of Medicine students. The two-year scholarships are based in part on high academic achievement and a commitment to community service. In June 2009, third-year student Ben Martino received one of those scholarships and shared his thoughts on the rewards of medical school.

After earning a degree in microbiology from Brigham Young University, Martino came to the College of Medicine for the attractive, one-on-one environment that he says, “…engenders a great sense of camaraderie.”

He soon learned that the College of Medicine does not just teach the principles of medicine, but also the importance of community involvement. In that vein, Martino is involved in the Arthur C. Scott Surgical Society, Students Improving Global Health Together, intramural sports and Martha’s Clinic, a student-run clinic in Temple. He also serves as an anatomy teaching assistant.

Considering all that, it’s easy to see that Martino’s involvement both in and out of the classroom has literally paid off. He encourages incoming medical students to do the same.

“Set goals for yourself and stick to them,” he said. “Life as a medical student can be hectic, but in the end, it’s absolutely worth all of the hard work and late nights you put in. I wouldn’t change my medical education for anything in the world.”

As for his classroom success, he attributes much of that to the administrators, physicians and faculty that devote their time to the students. Martino says one of the best things he did in medical school was getting to know the faculty.

“They are an incredible resource for any challenge, even those outside of the classroom,” he said.

After four years of hard work in the classroom, Martino says he hopes to “…connect with my patients on a personal level such that my treatment efforts not only improve their health, but also increase their quality of life.”

Of his scholarship, Martino said, “Being a doctor will be the most rewarding award of all. It’s hard to describe, but I know receiving this scholarship puts me that much closer to becoming a doctor.”