Robert O. Banks, PhD (Professor Emeritus, PPN) was Director of Medical Physiology in the College of Medicine for over 40 years and the founding Director of the Special Master’s Program in Physiology, which had its inaugural class in 2006. Dr. Banks and Mrs. Janet G. Banks have generously established an endowed fund to provide for the Dr. Robert O. Banks Endowed Scholarship. A scholarship of $7000 will be awarded to one SMP student for the payment of Spring semester tuition. The scholarship, which is designed to help students in their pursuit of a career in medicine, is based on both financial need and academic standing.

How to Apply:

Submit a single page PDF to Tracy Yarchi by 5PM on May 1, 2026 including:

• A brief description of your career aspirations
• A description of the personal experiences that explain your motivation for and commitment to a career in medicine (e.g., What have you experienced that makes you want to be a physician, as opposed to some other health care-related career? What experience do you have that demonstrates that you know what you are getting into?).
• Permission for the committee to view your SMP admissions packet, your current SMP academic record, and your Financial Aid ‘need’ score

You will be considered for both the Dr. Robert O. Banks Endowed Scholarship and the PPN SMP Scholarship with this one application. Submit your application for those scholarships when applying to the SMP program and by May 1st. In addition, turn in your FASFA by April 20th at the latest. Recipients will be notified by May 10th. The scholarship will be applied directly to Spring semester tuition and will be contingent on the recipient maintaining a high academic standing and a professional manner.

Questions? Reach out to Tracy Yarchi for more information.

Donate to join Dr. and Mrs. Banks in growing this endowed fund so that additional students may be helped.