Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarships

A medical school may nominate one student per year for this award. A candidate must be:

• A U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or an individual granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status
• Entering the third year of study in an LCME-accredited U.S. medical school in Fall 2025

Students enrolled in combined degree programs (such as MD/PhD) are eligible when they are entering their third year of medical school.

The nomination packet must include:

1. A nomination letter from the medical school’s dean or dean’s designee (not to exceed four double-spaced pages) stating verbatim that the candidate has maintained good academic standing throughout the first two years (“maintained good academic standing” must be stated for consideration) and discussing the nominee’s:
   • Demonstrated leadership efforts in addressing the educational, societal, and healthcare needs of underserved populations
   • Research projects, and/or extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership abilities
   • When describing the nominee’s efforts, please indicate their specific role and if these efforts were initiated by the nominee as a new program/initiative or an expanded effort based on existing work.
2. A letter of recommendation from the GSA Institutional Student Diversity Affairs Representative (not to exceed four double-spaced pages). Should the institution not have a GSA representative, the nominator must be noted in the online contact information section as the replacement.
3. A letter of recommendation from a faculty member (not to exceed four double-spaced pages).
4. A personal statement by the nominee assessing their leadership efforts in promoting equal opportunity in medical education and access to quality health care for underserved populations (not to exceed two double-spaced pages).
5. A curriculum vitae (CV) for the nominee that includes contact information and clearly highlights awards, activities, honors, and scholarships that show commitment to promoting equal opportunity.

All letters and personal statements should be double-spaced, have one-inch margins, and be written in Times New Roman 12-point font. Nomination packets should not include hyperlinks. Hyperlinks will not be reviewed.

Please address all questions to:
Angela Moses
202-862-6203
NickensAwards@aamc.org

2025

Maya K. Hagander
University of Virginia School of Medicine

Maya Hagander is a globally minded “third-culture kid” whose upbringing across diverse communities and as the daughter of two disabled military veterans instilled in her a deep appreciation for humanity, service, and cultural nuance. Her experiences with injustice and displacement inspired a lifelong commitment to advocacy and equitable care. After earning degrees in biochemistry and African and diaspora studies from Wittenberg University, she was profoundly shaped by witnessing racial and socioeconomic inequities in the U.S. Now a medical student at the University of Virginia, Hagander channels her passion into mentorship, community engagement, and research on social determinants of health and health justice. Grounded in empathy and shaped by her family’s resilience, she is dedicated to building systems of care that not only heal but affirm, honoring the people and places that have molded her while serving those who continue to teach her.

Fredericka Hendricksen
University of Central Florida College of Medicine

Fredericka Hendricksen, a West Palm Beach native and proud daughter of Haitian immigrants, was inspired by her mother, a nurse practitioner, to pursue medicine rooted in compassion and service. Beginning college coursework at 15, she earned her biology degree from Florida Atlantic University and later a master’s in biomedical sciences before becoming a third-year medical student at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. Deeply committed to health equity and mentorship, she has led initiatives through the Student National Medical Association, supported underrepresented students, and conducted research addressing disparities in maternal, infant, and pediatric health. A lifelong dancer and community advocate, Hendricksen plans to specialize in pediatrics, combining clinical care with advocacy to ensure all children have access to equitable, high-quality health care. She credits her family, mentors, and community for shaping her journey and inspiring her dedication to compassionate service.

Maheen Ibrahimi
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Maheen Ibrahimi, a proud Pakistani American from Hershey, Pennsylvania, draws inspiration from her immigrant parents and the Urdu value of insaaf—justice and fairness for all. Witnessing her family’s struggles to access care sparked her lifelong commitment to equitable, compassionate health care. A Johns Hopkins graduate in neuroscience and Islamic studies, she advocated for underserved families and Afghan refugees in Baltimore before continuing her mission as a medical student at the University of Pittsburgh. There, she created a community resource database, developed a faith-sensitive clinical guide for Muslim patients, and advanced cultural and religious inclusivity in medicine. Her dedication to social justice and women’s health has earned her several awards and recognition as a social medicine fellow and free clinic coordinator. Guided by faith and gratitude for her parents’ sacrifices, Ibrahimi strives to build a health care system rooted in dignity, empathy, and justice for all.

Joslyn Santana
University of California, Riverside, School of Medicine

Joslyn Santana, a third-year medical student at the University of California, Riverside, is the first in her family to pursue a career in Western medicine while honoring her Indigenous Peruvian, Afro-Peruvian, and Asian-Peruvian roots. A proud first-generation American and daughter of San Bernardino County, she channels her heritage and personal experiences with health inequities into a mission to advance culturally responsive care and equitable access to medicine. After earning her degree in environmental science from UCLA, where she was recognized for leadership in Latino health equity, Santana has become a statewide advocate and mentor through organizations like the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California and the National Hispanic Medical Association. Her award-winning research and community initiatives — including work with agricultural workers and free clinics — reflect her deep commitment to health justice. Grounded in gratitude for her resilient community, Santana aims to bridge medicine, policy, and grassroots advocacy to ensure all patients are seen, heard, and healed with dignity.

Kathryn Xu
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Kathryn Xu, born in Beijing and raised in St. Louis by her single mother, draws strength from her immigrant upbringing and the resilience it instilled in her. A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis with degrees in biology and Asian American studies, she began advocating early for first-generation and low-income students. Now a third-year medical student at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Xu has led transformative initiatives to make health care more inclusive, including founding the nation’s first free dermatology and foot care clinic for people experiencing homelessness and launching a “Skin of Color” lecture series to improve medical education. Her advocacy for inclusive language and structural competency within preclinical and clinical training reflects her broader mission to create a more equitable, human-centered health care system. Recipient of the 2025 U.S. Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Award, Xu remains deeply grateful to her mother, mentors, and community, dedicating her career to advancing compassion, representation, and access in medicine.

Past Recipients