The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) has been proudly serving the Osteopathic profession since 1949. As a nationally-serving nonprofit organization, it supports and invests in the osteopathic medical profession from all angles. Their five funding pillars – Educational Scholarships, Community Service, Research, International Humanitarian Work and Osteopathic Recognition – have guided them in their mission to “support programs and services that promote osteopathic medicine and enhance patient-centered care.”

Under the Educational pillar, the Edward and Joanne Loniewski Merit Scholarship was created by the couple to combine their deep commitment to the AOF with their love for the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM). Through this scholarship each year, one osteopathic medical student in their third or fourth year at MSUCOM is selected to receive a $3,000 scholarship. This student must be in good academic standing, show exceptionally strong leadership skills and demonstrate financial need.

This year, Jeff Kuhary (OMS-IV), was chosen to receive the Edward and Joanne Loniewski Merit Scholarship. Born and raised in the metro-Detroit area, Kuhary is the first in his family to graduate from college. He began his undergraduate education in business at the University of Michigan (UM), but soon realized it wasn’t the path for him. Though no one in his family is in the medical field, his parents steered him in that direction because they knew he could succeed. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in biomolecular science from UM, Kuhary continued his education with the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Though he’s always done well academically, Kuhary said there’s “nothing like med school.” This mutual laborious experience is what forms the foundation of the bond that he says is shared by medical students at MSUCOM. In addition to the intense rigor of his courses, Kuhary managed to work while also participating in extracurricular activities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked at MSU’s triage. During the height of the pandemic, he also spearheaded a project that would simultaneously provide companionship for patients in elder-care facilities, while giving students experience talking with patients. This project organized FaceTime visits between MSUCOM students and elder-care patients during a time when facilities weren’t allowing visitors. Kuhary got the idea when recalling visits to his great-grandmother, and realizing that without visitors, those in elder-care facilities weren’t seeing anyone outside of staff. Kuhary said while he’s not yet legally certified to care for people in a professional setting, he’s still committed to helping others in whatever way he can.

To read more about Kuhary, visit com.msu.edu