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Josh Gibson MD Grant
The Josh Gibson MD Grant is a yearly $1,000 grant dedicated to supporting undergraduate or graduate students based anywhere in the United States. This commendable initiative, founded by Dr. Josh Gibson, aims to alleviate financial barriers for students who demonstrate not only academic excellence but also a profound commitment to their community and personal development. Dr. Gibson, a respected figure in the realms of psychiatry and executive coaching, has long been an advocate for education and mentorship, understanding deeply the impact that support and guidance can have on a student’s journey.
About Josh Gibson MD
Josh Gibson MD is a certified executive and life coach and most recently worked for more than four years at Pilot 44, a prominent disruptive innovation studio located in San Francisco, California. Josh was responsible for managing a large portfolio of new digital transformation ideas, primarily in the medical and consumer sectors. His coaching work draws from more than 25 years of training and experience in the field of psychiatry and management consulting.
Josh Gibson believes in human potential and today helps people reach their goals every day as an executive and life coach. He wouldn’t be able to do that without having the good fortune of a tremendous higher education, including getting his M.D. at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and completing his psychiatry residency at UCSF.
He believes we all should find ways give back in order to help others achieve their goals through higher education. His hope is that winners of this scholarship will eventually be able to fund a scholarship themselves at some point in the future! No pressure (yet!) on 2023’s winner, Laura Preka who is attending University of Pennsylvania.
Josh Gibson received his M.D. from the prestigious Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he was awarded the Arnold P. Gold Foundation prize for humanism in medicine. He then completed his residency in psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he won the American Medical Association Foundation 2000 Leadership Award and the Alexander Simon Award for teaching. After that, he taught and supervised residents and worked as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry for more than a decade.
After that, Josh served as an Editorial Board Member of Web M&M and as a Committee Chair with the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry. He closed his clinical practice in 2017 to join Quartet Health, a platform that connects people with mental health providers and services, as a Senior Clinician. He then moved to a broader innovation and people operations role at Pilot44. Josh currently works as an Executive Coach and Consultant to assist individuals in finding fulfillment at work and to help clients develop superior management skills by teaching them to build dynamic and high functioning teams. Prior to entering medicine, Josh worked as a Senior Consultant for Accenture, working with several Fortune 500 companies across the financial services, healthcare and retail industries.
Josh leads a very fulfilled and happy life with his wife and two children in San Rafael, California. When not working, he enjoys running, playing basketball and listening to music.
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Yearly Winners of JOSH GIBSON MD Grant
Winner 2025
- Name : Krysten Kolodko
Krysten Kolodko's statement :
I am extremely grateful to Josh Gibson for awarding me this scholarship. This grant is a beam of hope that allows me to go forth and pursue my dreams. As an undergraduate student with a passion for natural medicine and a plan to become an N.D., this scholarship is a stable stepping stone in my journey and has left a deep impact in my life. It’s generosity and kindness in action, an opportunity that gives the young generation a chance at higher education. Thank you, once again, to Josh Gibson for opening his heart and finances to support students.
Sincerely, Krysten Kolodko.
Winner 2022
- Name : Emma Palmer
- University: Iowa State University
Winner 2023
- Name : Laura Preka
- University: University of Pennsylvania
Winner 2024
- Name : Kyleigh Clements
- University: Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
2025 Application Deadlines
Deadline
October 15, 2025
Final Winner
December 1, 2025
Award
$1,000
Josh Gibson MD Grant
As a practicing doctor, Josh was highly regarded for his kindness and exceptional leadership skills. In addition to dedicating years of his life as a psychiatrist and helping individuals lead emotionally healthier lives, Josh has also spent significant time, energy and passion on philanthropy, especially in helping younger people. Among his many philanthropic initiatives is the Josh Gibson MD Grant — an annual financial award of $1,000 given to some of the most talented students from low-income backgrounds throughout the country.
Many studies indicate that two-thirds of American students who graduate are forced to take a loan, which usually amounts to more than $20,000. By offering the Josh Gibson MD Grant, Josh hopes to help students from less privileged backgrounds complete their education without facing the hefty burden of debts and loans.
The Josh Gibson MD Grant is a philanthropic endeavor established by Dr. Josh Gibson, a San Francisco, California-based executive and life coach, aimed at financially empowering students from low-income backgrounds to achieve their higher education goals. This annual grant awards $1,000 to a student demonstrating not only academic excellence and motivation but also facing financial hurdles in funding their college education.
Dr. Gibson, leveraging his extensive background in psychiatry and executive coaching, is deeply committed to supporting the next generation of leaders by easing the financial strain of college expenses. He envisions this grant as a stepping stone for students, hoping it inspires them to eventually contribute to the educational community in the future. Previous recipients, such as Laura Preka from the University of Pennsylvania and Emma Palmer from Iowa State University, exemplify the grant’s impact in making higher education more accessible.
The grant requires applicants to be either high school seniors intending to enroll in an accredited U.S. college or university or current college students. A compelling essay discussing the personal challenges of financing their education is a cornerstone of the application process, reflecting Dr. Gibson’s commitment to understanding and alleviating the burdens faced by students today.
With a strict submission deadline, the Josh Gibson MD Grant represents a crucial opportunity for students striving to overcome financial barriers to their academic and professional success.
Josh Gibson MD Grant Application Guidelines
Requirements:
We are proud to announce that the Josh Gibson MD Grant is dedicated to supporting the educational aspirations of students throughout the United States. In alignment with our mission to empower communities and foster academic excellence, this scholarship will be awarded to students who are currently enrolled or have plans to enroll at an accredited college or university in the U.S.
By expanding our reach nationwide, we aim to help students overcome financial barriers and achieve their educational goals. If you embody the qualities of leadership, academic excellence, and community commitment that the Josh Gibson MD Grant seeks to recognize, we warmly invite you to submit your application
To be considered for the Josh Gibson MD Grant, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- High school seniors with plans to enroll in an accredited U.S. college or university.
- Current students enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university.
Important Note: The Josh Gibson MD Grant will be awarded based on the evaluation of the entire application and essay. It is intended for college students in financial need who can compellingly share their story.
Amount: The winner will receive a one-time nonrefundable financial aid of $1,000.
Write an Essay on the following Question & attach as PDF in the Application form.
“Describe your most fulfilling experience at work outside of school. You may draw from volunteer work or any other unpaid work.”
Selection of Winner:
Following a rigorous and competitive evaluation process, the student with the most outstanding application and essay will be chosen as the winner of the Josh Gibson MD Grant. Hence, all applicants are encouraged to write an essay that is informative, detailed, and original. The use of ChatGPT or similar AI will lead to disqualification. The winning applicant will receive a notification via email no later than April 15, 2025, which they must acknowledge within 7 days, after which time another winner will be selected. The money will then be transferred to his/her school financial aid account.