Harlem High Grad Wins Inaugural Empowerment Scholarship From Touro-Harlem’s Afterschool Program

Khushba Ahmed, a graduating senior at Harlem’s A. Philip Randolph High School, has won the inaugural “MedAchieve Empowerment Scholarship.”

She won the scholarship from the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine-Harlem’s STEM afterschool program MedAchieve.

Ahmed, who came to the United States at age seven from Bangladesh, completed the two-year “mini medical school” program during the pandemic by attending the labs and lectures virtually.

She hopes eventually to become a physician’s assistant, specializing in gynecology – a career choice inspired by her mother, who had a health condition.

“Growing up I saw many women suffering from lack of access to medical care. I witnessed pregnant women experience labor without a doctor by their side without the support of modern medicine. When I moved to the U.S. I made a promise to myself that someday I would help,” she said.

“MedAchieve gave me the opportunity to increase my knowledge…which helped me to better decide my career path. Opening the email and seeing I was selected was something completely unexpected. I am honored to receive this scholarship!”

The 2020-2021 scholarship was established to recognize one MedAchieve student each semester for their hard work, commitment and barriers faced as minorities from underserved communities who are underrepresented in medicine and want to become medical professionals.

The aid will help pay for books, college and exam fees, and other necessities for achieving her professional goal.

Khushba will be starting college at CUNY-Hunter College in the fall.

“Khushba’s scholarship application stood out because of details about women’s empowerment and serving her community,” said second-year TouroCOM Harlem medical student and MedAchieve Co-Director Rita Kumar. “She understood the essence of community, which is the value we treasure most in MedAchieve.”