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Strickland recipient of UMA/MSTP award by Cindy Abole Public Relations Anderson native Kyle Strickland became the third recipient of the University Medical Associates (UMA)/Medical Scientist in Training Program (MSTP) Scholar award which was presented Aug. 2 during a ceremony held at the UMA executive committee meeting. Strickland received a plaque and was formally recognized by UMA president John Feussner, M.D., UMA executive committee members, Perry V. Halushka, M.D., Ph.D., MSPT program director and Lina Obeid, M.D., associate program director. Former UMA president Bruce Elliott, M.D., was instrumental in the initiation of this prestigious scholarship.   The scholarship provides one-year stipend support to an MSTP student who is also a South Carolinian. Each year, the MSTP scholarship committee meets to review new eligible MSTP students.   From left are Dr. Bruce Elliott, Dr. Lina Obeid, Strickland, Dr. Perry Halushka and Dr. John Feussner. “I’m extremely honored to be given this award,” Strickland said. “It’s always great to receive recognition for your work. As I understand it, MUSC is one of only a few institutions that gives a scholarship to M.D./Ph.D. students. I’m excited and motived by MUSC’s commitment to the students of the program.”      A recent honors graduate of the College of Charleston and biochemistry major, Strickland loves the sciences. As a first-year M.D./Ph.D. student, he will spend  the next seven to nine years studying basic science, completing clinical rotations and fulfilling requirements for both a medical and doctorate degree.   Established in 2002, UMA initially committed to provide a yearly stipend support to a new MSTP student selected by the MSTP scholarship committee. Strickland joins other scholar award recipients Ryan Rhome and Loretta Hoover.   “Kyle was highly recruited by our MSTP and is an impressive young man,” said Halushka. “We expect many great things from him in the future.”   “This type of support and commitment is extremely important for the MSTP program,” Halushka said. “The NIH looks favorably upon programs that demonstrate a significant institutional commitment. and efforts like this to help support the education and training of the next generation of physician-scientists.”     Friday, Aug. 19, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.