Benjamin Bouldin says he knew medical school would be hard, even bringing himself to ask the critical question: “Am I capable?”
Now, as one of seven winners of the Krishna Memorial Scholarship, the Spring native feels more confident than ever. In his second year at The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine, Mr. Bouldin is studying internal medicine and infectious disease.
As one of several scholarships available through the Texas Medical Association and funded by the TMA Special Funds Foundation, the Krishna Memorial Scholarship has been presented annually since 2021.
The one-time, $1,000 award is given to second-, third-, or fourth-year medical students at one of the seven University of Texas System medical schools. Each school selects its recipient based on criteria that include ability and medical aptitude. Preference is also given to those who do not qualify for financial assistance grants and scholarships based on need.
“First and foremost, thank you,” Mr. Bouldin told Texas Medicine Today. “At the same time, I also would encourage people who have the means to give back to their communities or give to these scholarships because it really does make a huge difference.
“Every single physician has gone through med school. They know how difficult it can be, and when you add on financial burden, that just makes it a lot more challenging,” he added.
As a first-generation college student and the first in his family to pursue medicine, Bobby Bobby feels “a little bit speechless” upon receiving the scholarship as a third-year UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine student.
“More than financial support, this scholarship represents a profound vote of confidence from both the Texas Medical Association and my medical school in the physician, leader, and person I aspire to become,” Mr. Bobby said. “It is a powerful reminder of how opportunity and belief in another person can change the course of a life.”
Also among the seven recipients of the Krishna Memorial Scholarship for 2026 are:
- Jose Gaspar de Alba, a third-year student at UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine.
- Sophia Lopez, a fourth-year student at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth.
- Daniel Ledezma, a second-year student at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine.
- Samuel “Garrison” Dabbs, a third-year student at UT Southwestern Medical School.
- Steven Brown, a fourth-year student at The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School.
For more information about the scholarships and loans available through TMA, visit the Educational Loans and Scholarships webpage.