Ross University Awards Eliza Anna Grier Scholarship to Shelly M. WilliamsEdison, N.J. - Ross University, one of the world's largest providers of medical and veterinary education, announced that Shelly M. Williams, 26, of Mounds View, MN., has been awarded an Eliza Anna Grier Scholarship to attend Ross
University School of Medicine. Named in honor of the first African American physician in the state of Georgia, the scholarship program is designed to increase diversity among physicians and veterinarians. It covers full tuition, required books, fees and required laboratory supplies for students attending Ross University School of Medicine or Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Williams, who is enrolled in the January 2004 entering class of the medical school, received a bachelor of science degree in genetics/microbiology from the University of Minnesota in December 2001 with a 3.3 grade point average. While at the University of Minnesota, she was a Care Partners volunteer at the Fairview University Medical Center. She was also a junior scientist at the University of Minnesota Stem
Cell Institute, contributing to a published research paper entitled, “Identification of Genes Responsible for Osteoblast Differentiation from Human Mesodermal Progenitor Cells.” “The Eliza Grier Scholarship is named in honor of a woman with a tremendous dedication to medicine, who persevered through numerous obstacles to achieve her goals,” said Dr. Scott Obenshain, dean of Ross
University School of Medicine. “Shelly Williams embodies that wonderful sprit. Ross is pleased to be able to recognize her achievements and support her as she pursues her dream to become a doctor.” The Eliza Anna Grier Scholarship, funded by Ross University and requiring the nomination of a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, is awarded to as many as 15 students every year.
The program is designed to help qualified underrepresented minority students who are U.S. citizens meet their full professional and personal potential in the field of medicine. Eliza Anna Grier started her quest to become a physician 17 years after the Civil War. She would alternate years of picking cotton with attending college in Pennsylvania. After 14 years, she earned a medical degree and
returned to Georgia to serve African-American families. The scholarship is based on the Association of American Medical Colleges’ definition of underrepresented minorities. Applicants must meet the requirements for admission to Ross University. | 
