Trustee establishes School of Medicine scholarship

Oakland University Board of Trustees member Michael Kramer and his wife, Zina, hope that their namesake scholarship not only benefits the student who receives it but ultimately the state of Michigan. The Michael and Zina Kramer Scholarship is a $50,000 gift to one student who will be entering the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in fall 2011.

“We want the student to find the experience with Oakland and Beaumont Hospitals so rewarding that he or she will remain in Michigan to practice medicine,” says Michael Kramer. “We were enticed to create the scholarship because these two outstanding institutions ­— OU and Beaumont — were teaming up to deliver this educational opportunity.”

The Kramers hope their actions play a role in retaining talent in Michigan. Both of them grew up in Michigan and believe in supporting the state’s economic growth. For School of Medicine Dean Robert Folberg, M.D, the scholarship has already made a difference as it gives him a competitive edge in recruiting the school’s inaugural class.

“When a trustee like Michael Kramer establishes this kind of scholarship, he is showing the community that OU leadership has confidence in and is investing in the School of Medicine,” says Dr. Folberg. “Having trustee Kramer step up with this type of scholarship is an extraordinary gesture. We are very grateful to him and his wife.”

The Kramers want the scholarship to even the playing field, creating opportunities for a student who has the competence and qualifications to pursue medical school but whose only barrier is financial. Their charitable work with various charter school systems in Metro Detroit revealed some valuable lessons about the importance of an education, and in part, laid the groundwork for this scholarship.

 “I have seen how an education changes a life forever,” says Michael. “If our $50,000 helps ease the financial burden of medical school for one student, then that’s the impact we’re going for.”


Zina and Michael Kramer