Dougal Murray Scholarship Paves a Pathway to Medical School

Juan Hernandez ’27, Bernat Sepulcre ’28, Melanie Maurad ’28 and Maria Pena Garcia ’27 received word that they were awarded the Dougal Murray Health Professions Scholarship, which will provide financial support in their journeys to becoming medical professionals.  

The scholarship — a $200,000 commitment from Rick Murray ’80 and Bill Dougal — supports low- to middle-income students with at least a 3.7 GPA, establishing a fund as part of a two-year pilot program, to be evaluated and adjusted for maximum impact going forward. Through tuition assistance and funding for experiential learning opportunities, the scholarship fuels a continued investment in academic excellence, access to opportunities and commitment to service, assisting students who plan to enroll in a medical school or dental school upon completion of an undergraduate degree. The scholarship provides an opportunity for students to serve their community and ultimately, the world as they answer Holy Cross’ common call to live as people for and with others.

“It’s really exciting to have some resources that we can put behind students who are working really hard, who want to make a difference in the world,” says Daniel Klinghard, Dean of Education and Academic Experience.

And the students are thrilled to have the chance to focus on what they really care about. “A lot of things for pre-med students are unpaid … and so sometimes it has caused me to go for a job or an opportunity that … hasn’t really given me the skills I need for medical school. For example, working in a restaurant or working in retail — those are great opportunities, but being able to instead spend my time volunteering at the hospital,” says Maurad. “Sometimes I’ve had to give up those opportunities in order to … have money to support my parents, especially during the summer where it can get very costly.”

Holy Cross medical school admission rates are at 80 percent — twice the national average. That’s because the College has “really talented students and really dedicated advisors,” says Klinghard. “Our students come to Holy Cross motivated by a desire to be part of the community — and so for them…working in a clinic, working as a phlebotomist … those are the types of things that come naturally to them, and med schools see that.”

Gabriela ‘Gaby’ Avila-Bront, Associate Professor and Health Professions Advisor, attributes a big part of the high admissions rate to the role of the Health Professions Advising Committee — a team of faculty who are knowledgeable about the coursework, love working with students and, essentially, set their students up for success. This group of faculty is heavily invested in students, and both Klinghard and Avila-Bront see the impact firsthand. And whether it’s through the generosity of our faculty’s time and mentorship or the generosity of financial assistance from Bill Dougal and Rick Murray ‘80, it’s inspiring to see both past and present Crusaders show up to help our students thrive.

Avila-Bront feels that the support of donors Bill Dougal and Rick Murray ’80 “speaks volumes about who we are as a community.” Rick Murray feels that he got a great education at Holy Cross, and thinks that the scholarship is a good way to give back to a place that will help other students find their paths the same way he did.

The scholarship recipients are finding their paths indeed, having come from near and far to do so. Long-time Worcester resident Pena Garcia feels immense gratitude for being able to give back to her own community. “Even in my first year in Montserrat … I got to put on a diaper drive and kind of give back to my own community … I’ve also started doing SPUD (Student Programs for Urban Development) this year and I’ve gotten to do some hospice volunteering. Being able to give back to where I came from … has been very meaningful,” says Pena Garcia.

Meanwhile, Hernandez has lived in the U.S. for less than a decade, where he pursued an additional year of high school after his counselors convinced him that he had a lot of potential. As a first-generation student, his own journey to the U.S. shapes his perspective on healthcare. “I want to advocate for those who actually feel unseen or unheard in the healthcare system because I was there. I’ve experienced the same thing,” says Hernandez, adding “I not only want to become a doctor who provides professional care as any other physician. I also want to be able to serve as representation for communities like mine.”

One thing all of the scholarship recipients have in common — they were all thrilled when they heard the news. “It felt like the best Christmas gift ever,” says Maurad. Sepulcre shares that he “jumped up and down” and that his family went out to dinner that night.

Both Murray and Dougal cite common themes in their upbringings — noting humility, hard work, a sense of community and faith-driven values. Having both grown up in middle class families, Murray adds that “We want to award this scholarship to somebody that grew up like we did” as they “had to work really hard to achieve what we’ve achieved in life.”

Perhaps what is most special is that their gift is exponential — designed to keep on giving. “Our hope is that … future generations will form an alumni group among themselves and start to contribute to the scholarship program to enhance it … because of their own career success,” says Dougal. “We want this to be a living program … I would hope that the beneficiaries of the scholarship program would be able to carry that tradition on — to never forget where they came from, and remember to give back as a way of recognizing the opportunity they were given.”

“They’re not giving the gift to give the gift … they actually want to make change with that gift,” says Avila-Bront. “And that is just classic Holy Cross.”