FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Contact:  Sheanna M. Spence, Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs & Community Relations, School of Medicine, 304-691-1639

School of Medicine scholarships created to honor legacies

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Two new scholarships recently established with the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine (MU JCESOM) honor the legacies of two individuals who have affected School of Medicine faculty and students in unique ways.

“Named scholarships are a fantastic way to pay tribute to someone who has made a difference in one’s life,” said Linda S. Holmes, director of development and alumni affairs for the School of Medicine. “These scholarships are doubly special because we have two individuals who have had such a profound influence on our school and medical community that others saw fit to honor their legacy in a meaningful and lasting way.”

Iralane Lambros, M.D., FAAP, has established the Faith Fry Memorial Scholarship. Faith Marie Fry (Aug. 14, 2002 – April 10, 2014), a daughter of Dennis Kent Fry and Tina Marie Adkins Fry, was well known to the Marshall Pediatrics faculty, staff and medical students, along with the staff of Cabell Huntington Hospital's NICU, PICU and pediatric wards. Faith was born with a rare congenital anomaly known as Trisomy 18 or Edward's Syndrome. Children with this genetic condition usually don't survive infancy due to severe heart and lung conditions, but Faith and her family fought valiantly for 11 years.

“She and her family taught us personal and professional life lessons of perseverance, dedication and pure love,” Lambros said.

This scholarship will be awarded to a rising fourth-year medical student interested in pediatrics and helping children with disabilities.

The Richard M. Niles, Ph.D., Endowment honors the contributions and service of Dr. Richard M. “Dick” Niles, a long-time member of the MU JCESOM family. Niles served the School of Medicine from July 1, 1992, through his retirement on August 31, 2014. He was a professor and chairman of biochemistry; the acting and senior associate dean of research and graduate education; and the vice dean for biomedical sciences.

The endowment, established by his colleagues and friends, will support research and training of graduate student(s) in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, including but not limited to scholarships, research supplies and attendance at national/international research conferences.

For more information on the scholarships or to make a gift to the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, please contact Linda Holmes at 304-691-1711 or go to www.musom.marshall.edu/alumni.

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Date Posted: Tuesday, April 14, 2015