By Tidewater Foundation

 

As the demand for compassionate healthcare professionals continues to grow, the Feldman Family Medical and Health Professional Scholarship is helping ensure that Jewish students across Virginia are not deterred from pursuing careers in medicine due to financial barriers.

 

Established through and administered by the Tidewater Jewish Foundation, the scholarship was created by Dr. William and Mary Feldman to reflect their lifelong commitment to both the Jewish community and the medical field. While rooted in Hampton Roads, the scholarship was designed to support students throughout the Commonwealth, strengthening the future of healthcare across Virginia. 

 

Last year, the scholarship expanded to support a minimum of two students annually, with awards of up to $10,000 per year, renewable for up to four years. It is open to Jewish students, or those who identify as Jewish, residing in Virginia who are pursuing degrees in medicine, nursing, dentistry, physician assistant studies, pharmacy, physical therapy, and related healthcare fields, with preference given to those attending Virginia-based institutions. 

 

The 2025 recipients, Alexander Mancoll and Avraham (“Avi”) Farkas, reflect the scholarship’s emphasis on service and compassion.

 

Mancoll, a Virginia Beach native, is pursuing medicine with a focus on patient-centered care. “Being part of a profession where compassion and understanding are as important as skill is exactly the kind of impact I want to have,” he said. 

 

Farkas, an RN student at ECPI University, plans to specialize in pediatric intensive care. A volunteer EMT with Virginia Beach EMS, he brings calm and empathy to high-pressure situations. “I want to be the calm presence in other people’s chaos,” he shared. 

 

Dr. Feldman, who practiced pediatrics for more than 30 years, established the scholarship after witnessing the financial challenges facing aspiring healthcare professionals. Through the Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s administration, the fund supports students who demonstrate both academic achievement and a commitment to service.

 

By investing in future healthcare leaders, the Feldman Family Scholarship strengthens both the medical field and the Jewish community across Virginia.

 

To learn more or apply, visit https://bit.ly/Feldman2026 or call 757.965.6111