UTSW students receive MLK community service scholarships for exceptional dedication
Three UT Southwestern students passionate about serving the community were awarded scholarships during this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration.
School of Health Professions student D’Nai Thomas received the $5,000 Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship for Community Service. Two finalists – medical students Ali Sadek and Mayuri Vaish – earned $500 scholarships each.
Scholarship Recipient
D’Nai Thomas
First-year physician assistant student
Ms. Thomas knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue medicine as she had a great love for science and for serving others. Her personal experiences in health care also shaped her understanding of the importance of advocacy and equitable care.
“Being selected for this scholarship meant so much to me. It was a reassuring reminder that the work I do – no matter how small it may seem – has value and impact,” she said. “This recognition reaffirmed that my voice and efforts matter and that I must continue paving the way for others.”
Ms. Thomas hopes to continue her deep commitment to advocacy, ensuring those without direct access to essential resources receive the tools they need to navigate their health and well-being.
“Beyond medicine, I aspire to impact at least one person’s life in a meaningful way, bridging gaps in care and fostering relationships that empower both patients and providers,” she said.
At UT Southwestern’s School of Health Professions, Ms. Thomas proudly serves as class President for the physician assistant (PA) class of 2026. She earned her bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory sciences from Howard University in 2022. She also serves as Vice President for UTSW’s social organization, Black Students of Health Professions, where she continues to foster connection and advocacy within the campus community.
Ms. Thomas’ journey to UTSW has been guided by her deep commitment to community service. Through her involvement with the nonprofit Cocoa Diaries, which she co-founded, Ms. Thomas empowers Black women in high school and college through mentorship, scholarship opportunities, and skill-building initiatives.
Inspired by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service, Ms. Thomas plans to use her platform as a future medical professional to address health care disparities and advocate for patient-centered care. At UTSW, she has served youth in capacities that include mentorship programs, outreach events, and other initiatives designed to empower the next generation of leaders.
Finalist
Ali Sadek
Second-year medical student
Mr. Sadek, who has called Dallas home for most of his life, earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Duke University in 2023. After graduation from UT Southwestern Medical School, his goal is to complete an internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship.
The scholarship finalist said he hopes to shine a light on volunteering programs he is passionate about.
“I want to put into my community as much time and effort as they put into helping me get where I am today. It takes a village, and many people have had a significant influence on my journey. I want to be able to do the same for others,” he said.
Through United to Serve, for example, Mr. Sadek has taught middle schoolers and their families about important health care topics, working alongside the opioid stewardship program to raise awareness about opioid overdose. In 2024, he founded the No One Dies Alone (NODA) program at Parkland Health. NODA allows UTSW medical students to provide companionship to patients who are receiving end-of-life care, ensuring they have someone by their side in their final moments of life.
Finalist
Mayuri Vaish
Second-year medical student
Born in Chicago, Ms. Vaish grew up in California, India, and Singapore before moving to Texas in 2019. Her global upbringing exposed her to the vast disparities in health care, which led her to organize volunteer and fundraising initiatives for countries across Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Ms. Vaish earned a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Rice University in 2022. She currently serves as U.S. Coordinator for High Impact Medicine, a global nonprofit dedicated to empowering medical students and doctors to make a positive impact on the world.
At UT Southwestern, Ms. Vaish has developed programs to improve language barriers for Spanish-speaking patients and increase refugees’ access to health care. She envisions a world where every individual is granted an equal opportunity to maintain their health. Being selected for the scholarship was a humbling motivator, she said.
“I hope to realize Dr. King’s efforts in strengthening the accessibility to health care rights for people who were born with fewer opportunities than others. I aspire to use my position as a future physician to bridge this gap, while inspiring others to do the same,” Ms. Vaish said. “I also hope to continue developing or overseeing long-term, sustainable programs that support the community outside the hospital to not only help prevent disease by reducing social barriers but also promote health by improving people’s quality of life.”