CORNING, N.Y. — Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) at Elmira have launched the Corning Incorporated Future Foundations Health Scholarship.
Corning and LECOM described the scholarship as a “critical initiative” designed to address significant health-care shortages in rural areas of Chemung and Steuben counties.
The scholarship, sponsored by Corning Incorporated, offers comprehensive financial support, covering full tuition and mandatory fees — valued at up to $50,000 per year — for two students enrolled in LECOM’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program.
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In return, scholarship recipients pledge to practice full-time in Chemung or Steuben counties for a minimum of four years after completing their residency in primary-care specialties.
“Amid the significant healthcare challenges facing communities across the Southern Tier, this scholarship represents a transformative investment in the future of rural medicine,” Millicent Ruffin, division VP at Corning Community Impact (CCI), said in the announcement. “We are proud to partner with LECOM at Elmira to support aspiring medical professionals in achieving their dreams while fostering a lasting, positive impact in our region. This program is a testament to Corning Community Impact’s commitment to improving healthcare access and building a healthier future in the communities where we live and work.”
Established in December 2023, CCI centralizes Corning’s philanthropic contributions in the U.S. under a single organization to maximize impact in areas that align closely with its values and business objectives, the company says.
The Future Foundations Health Scholarship is designed to attract medical students who are “passionate” about treating underserved populations. Applicants must demonstrate a “commitment to community service” and rural health care through volunteer activities and a written personal statement. The highly selective program ensures that scholars are “fully equipped” to address the unique challenges of practicing medicine in medically underserved areas, Corning said.
In addition to financial support, the scholarship includes a service commitment requiring recipients to practice in one of the following high-demand primary care specialties: family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, OB/GYN (obstetrics and gynecology), or emergency medicine. The focus on primary-care specialties directly addresses the region’s “most critical” health-care needs.
“This scholarship reflects LECOM’s mission to train the next generation of physicians who are dedicated to meeting the healthcare needs of their communities,” Dr. Richard Terry, dean of LECOM at Elmira, said. “By offering debt-free medical education to students with a heart for service, we’re not only supporting their professional growth but also ensuring that families in rural Chemung and Steuben Counties have access to quality healthcare for years to come.”
The timeline for the scholarship program is aligned with the admissions process, with applications open now through May 2026. Recipients must maintain academic progress and professionalism throughout their education to retain the scholarship, Corning noted.
