Faustino Bernadett Establishes the Bernadett Family International Medical Student Scholarship

Sir William Osler

The American Osler Society & the 2025 Bernadett Family International Medical Student Scholarship Award Program

The American Osler Society International Medical Student Scholarship Award was established in 2024. Through the generous support of the Tino and Martha Bernadett Family, their contribution enabled the creation of an endowment to sustain the program, and the award has since been named in their honor. This scholarship reflects Faustino “Tino" Bernadett’s deep commitment to advancing research at the intersection of medicine, history, and the humanities. As a longtime advocate for education and health equity, Dr. Faustino Bernadett envisioned a program that would encourage future physicians to explore the broader human context of medical practice. This contribution has made possible the creation of a lasting endowment, ensuring that this unique opportunity for medical students will continue to grow and thrive for years to come. Tino Bernadett served as a member of the 2025 Bernadett Family International Medical Student Scholarship Award committee. Dr. Faustino Bernadett is a retired physician who remains actively engaged in philanthropic and educational initiatives.

About the Scholarship

The Bernadett Family International Medical Student Scholarship Award allows two medical students enrolled in U.S. or Canadian medical schools to pursue research in the medical humanities by utilizing the rare books, archives, artifacts, and other resources housed in institutions across the United Kingdom.

As an interdisciplinary field, the medical humanities encompass the history of medicine, literature, visual and performing arts, film, music, philosophy, medical anthropology, and sociology. The award encourages innovative proposals that integrate these disciplines into the study and practice of medicine.

2025 Award Recipients

Reda Hessi

Reda Hessi, a first-year medical student at McGill University in Montreal, has been awarded a Bernadett Family International Medical Student Scholarship for his project titled “The Reception of Curare in Medicine and the Influence of the Pharmaceutical Industry.” His research traces the transatlantic journey of curare, a plant-derived arrow poison, from its collection in the Amazon to its integration into anesthesia practices in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Reda will examine the role of the pharmaceutical industry, the ethical implications of sourcing curare, and the initial skepticism surrounding Dr. Harold Griffith’s pioneering work in surgical muscle relaxation. The project will utilize primary sources and archives in the UK to analyze the contributions of British scientists and pharmaceutical firms to curare’s reception and distribution.

Katherine “Nikki” Sheffield

Nikki Sheffield, a medical student at the John Sealy School of Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, has been awarded a Bernadett Family International Medical Student Scholarship for her project titled “A Review of the Undigitized Personal Diary and Letters of Florence Nightingale and Her Family.” Her research will examine previously undigitized personal correspondence and diaries of Florence Nightingale, with a particular focus on understanding Nightingale’s emotional, mental, and physical health. The study aims to provide a more compassionate and historically accurate view of Nightingale’s psychological state during key periods of her life, including times of documented mental health breakdowns. By doing so, the project seeks to reevaluate Nightingale’s legacy within the broader context of contemporary discussions surrounding mental health and physician burnout.

Looking Ahead

The American Osler Society is honored to support future physicians who are passionate about integrating humanities into medical education and practice. Thanks to the vision and generosity of the Bernadett Family, the scholarship will continue to inspire and empower students to explore the historical and cultural dimensions of medicine.

We look forward to the discoveries and contributions that Reda and Nikki will bring to the field and express our gratitude to everyone involved in the continued success of this program.