Leslie Pillow, MD ’18 was introduced to medicine at a young age, accompanying her mother to her doctors’ appointments. She knew she wanted to become a doctor because she wanted to make a difference in the community, especially when it came to children and fighting mental health stigma in the African American community.

In her third year of medical school, Leslie unexpectedly lost her mother. During this difficult time, she was also faced with the financial challenge of becoming the sole guardian of her teenage sister while still maintaining her medical education. Leslie was awarded a scholarship from The Medical Class of 1968 Memorial Scholarship fund, which provided much-needed financial relief. With the help of Alumni, like you, Leslie was able to graduate this Spring, and will begin her residency in psychiatry at the Wexner Medical Center this summer.

“I am so thankful to the class of 1968! Without this scholarship, it would not have been possible for me to continue my education. I am inspired to give back later in my career because of the generosity of the amazing Ohio State College of Medicine alumni that helped me.” –Leslie Pillow, MD ’18

Leslie (third from the left) and her classmates before the hooding ceremony.