Missouri Society of Pathologists Foundation (MSPF)
posted: March 3, 2023
In 2022, a 501c3 non-profit, tax-exempt corporation named the MSP Foundation (MSPF) was incorporated, which can accept charitable fully tax-deductible donations. Chakshu Gupta, MD, is the Chair and a Director, Laura Gardner, MD, is the Secretary and a Director, Professor Tim Randolph from St. Louis University’s College of Allied Health is a Director, and Jeff Craver, MD, is the President and Treasurer.
The organization traces its beginnings to a generous donation made by William R. Bynum, MD, over twenty years ago to establish a scholarship fund for Medical Laboratory Scientists. Dr. Bynum happened to be married to one! Thanks to the Bynum Fund, the Missouri Society of Pathologists (MSP) has awarded thirty $1000 scholarships over the last 16 years to final year students enrolled in NAACLS accredited Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), Cytotechnologist or Histotechnologist training programs.
Preference is given to programs based in Missouri. Announcements about the MSPF scholarships are sent in August to NAACLS accredited Program Directors to advertise the scholarship. In 2022, six MLS and three MLT programs were identified in Missouri.
A link to the application is available here or may be obtained by contacting Jeff Craver, MD, at jlcpath@gmail.com. The deadline for applications is December 1.
MSPF Scholarship Fundraising Drive
To preserve and expand the MSPF funds available for scholarship, there will be a fundraising drive for the remainder of 2023. An anonymous donor has pledged a 100% match for the first $1000 given to the MSPF. This will replenish the $2000 awarded for the 2022 – 2023 year. Additional donations are welcome and encouraged.
Any donation is fully deductible since the MSPF is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation classified as a public charity by the IRS. Donating is easy. Donate here or contact Jeff Craver, MD for more information at jlcpath@gmail.com or 314-302-5254.
The students are extremely grateful for your generosity.
Scholarship Awards Recently Made
The Missouri Society of Pathologists Foundation (MSPF) awarded two $1000 scholarships to deserving students for the 2022-23 year. There were five outstanding applicants this year and the MSPF would have been more satisfied to help them all. To support future applicants, donate to MSPF's fundraising drive today.
Alison Cusack is in the final year of her Medical Laboratory Technician Program at St. Louis Community College Forest Park. She is a 28-year-old who had already earned a BS in an unrelated science field but felt unsatisfied in that career. She switched to the MLT program because she “wanted to practice a more hands-on science that would directly impact someone in a positive, helpful way.” To support herself, she works part-time on the weekends. After hearing that she got the award, Alison wrote, “I am so grateful to have been chosen for this scholarship. It is going to go such a long way to helping me through my last semester, especially with rent.”
Ebony Daley is in the last year of her Medical Laboratory Scientist Program at North Kansas City Hospital. She is the oldest child of a single mother and must help care for her younger siblings. Science captured her imagination when she watched her mother learn anatomy for nursing school by dissecting a cow’s eye and brain at home. This made her consider the MLS Program. She writes, “I am currently another step deeper into my passion by studying laboratory medicine, driven even further by the extra work and effort it takes to be here both mentally and financially.” Ebony works part-time in the laboratory when she can to help pay her expenses. Ebony wrote after receiving her award, “Thank you again for considering me for this award that is allowing me to pay for my education. I am incredibly grateful and blessed for this opportunity.”