Investing in the Future of Medical Education: Hackensack Meridian Health Physicians Create $100,000 Scholarship

Jeffrey Boscamp, M.D., and Yukiko Kimura, M.D., share a vision of holistic health and medicine that distinguishes the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, and have generously donated $100,000 to create a student scholarship at the school, where Dr. Boscamp serves as dean.

The doctors, who are married, are both pediatricians and hope the scholarship they’ve created will help ease the burden of student loan debt that can be a barrier to those who may want to pursue less lucrative specialties in medicine.  

The donation comes as the school, which has just seated its seventh class, cements its reputation as a unique model for innovative and humanistic medical education.

“Things have really evolved tremendously and our medical school is a crown jewel that has allowed us to attract the most talented people to be a part of our health system,” said Dr. Kimura, noting the school's clinical, teaching and research excellence. “The school now has a cadre of outstanding physicians to teach and mentor our students.”

Opened in Nutley in 2015, the school takes a different approach to medical education than most – focusing on the critical science of disease prevention. It features small group and collaborative learning rather than large lectures. Critical thinking is stressed over memorization. Students connect with patients from day one and work in disadvantaged communities to improve health outcomes.

“We really look for potential servant leaders and that’s who we want to develop,” says Dean Boscamp. Dr. Kimura said the school strives for “clinical relevance,” with an emphasis on teaching students in the context of how they will use their skills.

The couple has worked at what is now Hackensack Meridian Health for decades.

Dr. Kimura is the Division Chief of Pediatric Rheumatology at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center, and a professor of Pediatrics at the medical school.

Dr. Boscamp joined what is now Hackensack University Medical Center in 1987 and founded the section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. He later served as co-chief academic officer for the health system. Dr. Boscamp played a leadership role in the founding of the medical school, where he also teaches infectious diseases, and was named dean in 2022. 

Dean Boscamp said his work includes seeking other philanthropic funds to enable more students to do important work. The school serves as a pipeline for the health network. “Our graduates are now coming into residencies and fellowships. They are stars. We are very proud of that.”

“The school’s mission has been aspirational from the start,” says Dean Boscamp. “If you are going to be a force for change in health care in the United States, you have to start at the beginning. We are crafting and shaping a new generation of physicians...There is nothing more noble and important.”

We thank Dr. Boscamp and Dr. Kimura for their generosity and helping shape the next generation of physicians! To make a gift in support of Hackensack Meridian School of medicine, visit GiveHMH.org/SOM or contact Sheila Wolfinger, executive director, at sheila.wolfinger@hmhn.org.