Charles J. Blackwood, MD, Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund
This scholarship endowment honors the CU School of Medicine’s first Black graduate, Charles Blackwood, MD, who graduated in 1947. The fund was established in partnership with the Mile-High Medical Society and was a community driven initiative developed in close collaboration with the School, African-American healthcare and community leaders, and generous benefactors. The goal of these scholarships is to help develop a more diverse, inclusive healthcare workforce for Colorado’s under-served communities; and support students historically underrepresented in the healthcare field.
Now through June 30, 2024 contributions to this fund will be matched dollar for dollar.
"Diversity in healthcare improves health disparities. As the first Black graduate of CU School of Medicine, Charles J. Blackwood was a trailblazer. The scholarship that bears his name was founded for medical students who may be present-day trailblazers in their own right. With student debt at an all-time high, funding scholarships is the best way to recruit top students who will then go on to improve health outcomes for both their patients and their communities.”
-Nia S. Mitchell, MD, MPH, (IM Res 2008, Primary Care Research Fellowship 2010, MPH CSPH 2010) CU Medical Alumni Association, Board Member, Mile High Medical Society, Chief Development Officer