Scholarship Recipients

A giant in the field of cardiac medicine, John Lockwood Ochsner, Sr. lent his skill and expertise to Ochsner Health for nearly 60 years. In addition to pioneering valve and coronary surgery, he performed the first ever heart transplant in the Gulf South and the first pacemaker implantation on a newborn. With over 12,000 surgeries and more than 300 medical publications to his name, he stands as a sterling example of the excellence towards which all doctors and practitioners strive.

Today, the John Lockwood Ochsner, Sr. Surgical Award honors students whose achievements in medical school indicate their readiness to continue Dr. Ochsner’s legacy of surgical excellence. This year, the recipient of the award was James O’Leary.

“I was incredibly honored,” said James. “To receive an award attributed to a legendary innovator and leader in cardiovascular surgery may be the greatest honor I’ve been given in my life.”

James offered advice to other medical students interested in working in surgery. “Developing mentors in surgery as a medical student is challenging but essential,” he said. “Even Dr. John Lockwood Ochsner, Sr. was a medical student once, and his journey to becoming a world-renowned surgeon could not have been accomplished without the help of some great mentors along the way. I know his name and this award will continue to inspire medical students to be curious and resilient.”

The Dr. E. Edward Martin, Jr. Family Medicine Award is given to a graduating student of Ochsner Clinical School who is entering a residency in family medicine, demonstrates commitment to the principles of family medicine, and has shown high levels of student leadership and academic achievement. Dr. Martin was a beloved family medicine physician who we lost in 2017. He served at Ochsner for over 30 years in increasing levels of responsibility. His colleagues established this award in his honor.

Having previously been awarded the Dr. and Mrs. Roy Gregory Scholarship for Family Medicine, Rana Mehdizadeh has now also been awarded the Dr. E. Edward Martin, Jr. Family Medicine Award. Rana is also currently working as one of Ochsner’s research fellows for the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Project (GWEP).

“I was admittedly surprised and a bit emotional to learn I had received this year’s family medicine award. Emotions were already heightened on graduation day, knowing that it was not only the culmination of years of hard work, but that my father who had always been my biggest cheerleader wouldn’t be there as he had passed away the year before,” Rana said. In spite of all the struggles she faced, she felt proud to have discovered the right field for her and to be recognized for her dedication.

“I would encourage every medical student, including those who may not have previously considered family medicine, to make the most of their rotation in family medicine,” Rana said. “You can make a great impact as a medical student, while further fostering your interests.”