Murfreesboro Medical Clinic and SurgiCenter Now Accepting Applications for the ‘Drs. David and Yolando Chatman Scholarship’
Murfreesboro Medical Clinic and SurgiCenter (MMC) announced that applications are now being accepted for the ‘Drs. David and Yolando Chatman Scholarship’. The scholarship will be awarded to a local college junior, senior or graduate student who is advancing to medical school and is also a member of an ethnic minority group that is underrepresented in medicine.
MMC named the scholarship after two of its physicians, each known for their impact on the culture, diversity and overall success of Murfreesboro Medical Clinic in their 25+ years with the clinic.
Yolando McGriff-Chatman, M.D. joined Murfreesboro Medical Clinic in 1996 as an Obstetrician and Gynecologist and later practiced Gynecology only. David Chatman, M.D., a Vascular Surgeon, joined MMC a couple of years later as a member of its Surgery Department. Through their 25+ years at MMC, mentored many students on their paths to medical school. The couple retired in May of 2022 and moved to Ohio to be closer to their daughter as she begins her medical career.
“Both David and Yolando dedicated their careers to providing their patients and this community with the highest levels of care,” said Joey Peay, MMC’s Chief Executive Officer. “We, as an organization are thankful for the many contributions from the Chatmans and are devoted to carrying on their legacy as we continue to enable new physicians in underrepresented groups through this scholarship program while also investing in the future of healthcare in Rutherford County.”
Last May, MMC awarded the inaugural Drs. David and Yolando Chatman Scholarship to Kirolos Michael from MTSU. Learn more about Kirolos Michael, here.
What inspired the scholarship?
In 2020, the physicians at Murfreesboro Medical Clinic and SurgiCenter established The MMC Foundation (a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation) to advance the mission to foster continuous improvement in the community’s health. The MMC Foundation partnered with MMC’s Diversity Committee, led by Dr. David Chatman for the past 3 years, to develop a scholarship for local students who are advancing to medical school and who are also members of ethnic groups that are underrepresented in the medical profession.
The scholarship was inspired by Rutherford County’s own Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Fund (created by the late Dr. George Smith and Mary Scales), which was created in 1984 to help address concerns regarding the African American achievement gap in the local community.
“Representation matters,” said Dr. Chatman. “There are physical, educational, social, and economic barriers which serve to dissuade diverse students from seeking leadership opportunities and membership within dissimilar communities. Diversity in representation helps to break these barriers down, and helps to normalize and realize the American dream for all Americans.”
Criteria for the scholarship can be found online at www.mmclinic.com/scholarship. Applications must be submitted by March 1, 2023 to be considered.
