Sep 2025

Dr. Rubens J. Pamies has left a lasting mark on the field of medicine and education through his extensive career and unwavering commitment to reducing health disparities. Serving as the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean for Graduate Studies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) for over eight years, Dr. Pamies has been a pivotal figure in advancing healthcare equity.

Dr. Pamies was a champion of interprofessional education, supported by initiatives funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. His dedication to fostering diversity in health professions led to the founding of the Virginia-Nebraska Alliance, a partnership between UNMC, Virginia Commonwealth University, and five Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This alliance aims to attract students into health professions, reflecting Dr. Pamies’ commitment to mentorship and education. His innovative spirit also led to the creation of the first online pre-matriculation program for incoming first-year medical students, designed to prepare them for success in medical school.

Dr. Pamies co-authored Multicultural Medicine and Health Disparities with Dr. David Satcher, the first comprehensive book addressing healthcare disparities. His editorial contributions to the Journal of the National Medical Association (JNMA) and his mentorship of first-generation and underrepresented students in medicine, particularly through programs like SHPEP (Summer Health Professions Education Program), highlight his dedication to nurturing future healthcare leaders.

Dr. Pamies’ humanitarian efforts include securing life-saving surgery for a child from the Dominican Republic through a partnership with José Mesa’s foundation, a major league pitcher. In 2010, following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Dr. Pamies spearheaded UNMC’s humanitarian relief efforts and later documented the crisis in his publication Help and Hope for Haiti.

Locally, Dr. Pamies advocated for educational opportunities for low-income children through partnerships like Building Bright Futures. His lifetime commitment to medicine and reducing health disparities earned him the inaugural Gershom Empowerment Center Award in Omaha.

His influence extended to national medical education standards through his membership on the National Board of Medical Examiners. Additionally, he established international educational exchanges between UNMC and institutions in China, broadening the scope of medical education. With a longstanding academic career at institutions including the University of South Florida, Case Western Reserve University, Meharry Medical College, and UNMC, Dr. Pamies was nationally recognized as an expert on health disparities and an advocate for healthcare equity across racial and ethnic groups.

The Dr. Rubens J. Pamies, MD, Opportunity Fund Scholarship

Established in 2010 by the SHPEP National Alumni Advisory Board, the Dr. Rubens J. Pamies, MD, Opportunity Fund Scholarship provides financial assistance to alumni applying to professional or graduate programs in health professions. Each year, four recipients are selected to receive $500 to cover eligible expenses, such as application fees, admission test fees), test preparation materials and courses, and travel for admission-related interviews.

To be eligible, applicants must be alumni of SHPEP, SMDEP, SMEP, or MMEP programs and must be applying (or planning to apply within six months) to a health profession program. Health professions include medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, optometry, physical therapy, physician assistant, public health, veterinary medicine, and more.

Named in honor of the late Dr. Rubens J. Pamies, the scholarship recognizes his efforts to eliminate health disparities and mentor underrepresented students. Since its inception, the scholarship has received over 850 applications, encouraging alumni support and matching donations to sustain and expand the fund.

2024 Scholarship Recipients and Updates

Maria Zesati, who completed SHPEP at the University of Washington in 2018 as a pre-medicine and public health student and competed in the Postbaccalaureate Leadership Program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science in 2024, states: “I aspire to become a physician and am committed to eliminating healthcare disparities and improving health outcomes for patients from low-income and marginalized communities.” 

After receiving the Dr. Rubens J. Pamies Scholarship, Maria completed the Charles R. Drew University Post-Baccalaureate Leadership Program and was honored with the “Future Leader in Medicine” Award. After navigating the medical school application process for the second time, she is thrilled to announce her acceptance into medical school!

Maria has also been volunteering at the UCLA Spanish Speaking Psychosocial Clinic, where she assists with an ongoing project called Mighty Mente. This initiative provides parents and caregivers at an underserved high school in Los Angeles with a psychoeducation curriculum designed to enhance student well-being and academic success. The team, composed of bilingual Latine/x premed students, medical students, psychiatry residents, and practicing psychiatrists, presents on a variety of topics (including the adolescent brain, anxiety, depression, sleep hygiene, etc.) in Spanish to meet the needs of the community and the high school’s predominantly Hispanic student body. Looking ahead, Maria is excited to continue advocating for underserved populations and addressing health disparities as a medical student.

Rewan Ahmed, a pre-dental student from Rutgers University–Newark who completed SHPEP at Rutgers in 2022 as a pre-dental student, affirms her goals by saying: “As a future dentist, I strive to provide the best experiences to my community and have a positive impact on their overall health.”

Since receiving the scholarship, Rewan has continued her work with the pre-dental club, Project Dental All, serving as President and leading fundraising and community service initiatives benefiting the Newark, NJ community. Rewan recently graduated in May 2025 from Rutgers University-Newark with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Summa Cum Laude. This summer, she will be starting dental school at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine as part of the Class of 2029. Looking ahead, Rewan is excited to continue serving and uplifting others through the practice of dentistry

The other 2024 recipients included:

Anella Mejia, who attended SHPEP at Western University of Health Sciences in 2021 as a pre-dental student and graduated from Chaminade University of Honolulu with a degree in Biology in 2023, reflects on her journey: “My experience with SHPEP helped me tremendously with my career path, so to get awarded this scholarship from the program means the world to me.”

Delmy Santos Vigil, who participated in SHPEP at the University of Louisville in 2020 as a pre-medicine student and graduated with a degree in Bioscience from Farmingdale State College in 2022, shares, “This award will help aid in funding my academic career in becoming a Medical Doctor and has given me a push of confidence to strive forward.”