By Dawn Pauli, staff writer
Financial Aid Coordinator Tina Cardamone is supporting the scholarship fund for the new Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWBSM) through the All-University Fund Drive this year.
“I came to OU from the financial aid office at Wayne State University Medical School and witnessed daily how hard students must work to become medical doctors and how they often struggle financially to do so,” Cardamone said. “Since our new school is just getting off the ground, I thought this was the best place for my contribution to go.”
The average U.S. student leaves medical school with $130,000 in debt. The OUWBSM scholarship fund will support a medical student’s tuition or provide much-needed assistance on a partial tuition basis. The scholarship fund will allow donors to provide direct support to some of Michigan’s most promising medical professionals.
Cardamone has worked in the Student Financial Services office for almost two years. In addition to Oakland University, she contributes to the United Way and the Black United Fund.
“Both of those organizations help numerous people in the Metro Detroit area in so many ways,” she said. “Every dollar helps and everyone should consider contributing.”
Cardamone makes it a priority to share with others.
“I believe that it's vital to give back to our communities and to others less fortunate than ourselves,” she said. “I am proud to be an OU alumna and employee and able to contribute in some way. This is the type of thing that gives meaning to our lives.”
The OUWBSM will open in 2010 pending LCME and NCA approval.