Medical education is a rigorous and demanding journey, often accompanied by significant financial burdens. Thanks to the generosity of American Medical Association employees, a Physicians of Tomorrow scholarship funded by Health Solutions Group staff’s donations alleviates this burden and enables future doctors like Thomas Freitag, MPP, a student at Harvard Medical School, to pursue their passion for equitable and inclusive health care.

Freitag, who uses they/them pronouns, has dedicated their academic and professional career to advancing LGBTQIA+ health equity through research, advocacy, and policy work. Their journey began with a master’s in public policy as a Kanders-Churchill Scholar at the University of Cambridge, where they analyzed policy mechanisms to prevent the discriminatory application of CRISPR technology against LGBTQIA+ communities worldwide.

“Contributions to AMA Foundation scholarships have allowed me to pursue my clinical passions and take the next step towards serving the communities I love.

At Harvard Medical School, Freitag has continued this work as a research fellow with the Fenway Institute, developing policy briefs on issues such as the 2022 mpox epidemic and misinformation surrounding gender-affirming medical care. Their research with the National Institute of Health and the University of California, San Francisco’s Gender Psychiatry Program has further explored intersectional disparities in LGBTQIA+ substance use and refuted transphobic theories used to justify legislative attacks on gender-affirming care.

Beyond research and policy, Freitag remains committed to mentorship and community engagement. They support aspiring physicians through mentorship programs at Harvard College and find joy in singing as a tenor in the Longwood Chorus, demonstrating the balance of passion and advocacy that fuels their dedication to medicine.

“This scholarship represents an important step in my educational journey and enables me to continue working toward the foundation’s mission of advancing health equity for all patients.

Freitag’s clinical aspirations are equally inspiring. They intend to pursue a Triple Board residency in pediatrics, general psychiatry, and child and adolescent psychiatry. This pathway will allow them to provide holistic, affirming care for young patients navigating medical and psychiatric challenges. Their goal is to address the barriers to care that LGBTQIA+ youth face, ensuring they receive the comprehensive, affirming medical attention they deserve.

Expressing their gratitude, Freitag acknowledges the profound impact of this support: “Contributions to AMA Foundation scholarships have allowed me to pursue my clinical passions and take the next step towards serving the communities I love. This scholarship represents an important step in my educational journey and enables me to continue working toward the foundation’s mission of advancing health equity for all patients.”

Visit the AMA Foundation website to learn more about the Physicians of Tomorrow program and to support medical student scholarships.