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Meet our 2025 Recipients

“This year we are celebrating our 10th anniversary and we are thrilled with the number and excellence of our scholarship applicants,“ reported Dr. Santos-Martins. “The decision process was difficult, but it highlights the immense achievements and potential of our Portuguese-American students. We are counting on the support of our communities to enable us to continue expanding the Dr. Edward Leitão Memorial Scholarship Fund. We also strongly encourage the applicants not awarded scholarships to reapply in the future, and to continue  in contact with us as we are available for mentoring and to help with networking,” emphasized the physician.

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Madalena Cardoso

Madalena Cardoso is a first-year medical student at Tufts School of Medicine. She obtained her BA AND MS from Boston University in 2021 after only 4 yrs of study. She interned at a Harvard Neurology lab during her junior year and then after graduation she worked as the coordinator of a research team in the Department of Radiology and Orthopaedics Surgery at NYU for 2 years. 

Raised in the U.S. after moving from Portugal at a young age, she was deeply involved in her local Portuguese community in CT, tutoring Portuguese and volunteering at cultural events. Her experiences have given her a unique understanding of the challenges faced by immigrant communities, particularly in healthcare. As a future physician, she is committed to addressing healthcare disparities in the Portuguese-speaking population, advocating for patients' rights, and fostering trust and compassion in care. Madalena aims to work with community health organizations and mentor diverse students pursuing healthcare careers.

’This is a goal I’m already working towards by becoming the director of the Pre-med Mentorship Program at Tufts, working to pair premeds across the country with medical student mentors and to program curricula on topics like volunteering, gap year experiences, and application writing.

Through my journey to medical school I’ve been guided by the phrase “remember why you started” which for me has always been to help and heal others,” said Madalena.

In 2019, Madalena received a Dr. Leitão Memorial Scholarship in the College category and is now being awarded a second scholarship in the Medical School category.

Carolina Lopes

Carolina Lopes is from Guimarães, Portugal and has been studying in the US since age 16. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry and Biotechnology from Tufts University in May’24. She became connected with the local Portuguese community while at Tufts, and through an Independent Study in Portuguese and interviews with community members, she identified a significant need for healthcare access, especially among non-English-speaking Portuguese Americans. 

Her long-term goal is to become a physician and pursue a pediatric surgical specialty, as well as to provide compassionate care and education, ensuring language proficiency does not hinder patients' health outcomes. Carolina has been accepted to multiple medical schools, and interviewed by several Ivy League medical schools. She will be making her final decision soon.

She shared “I aspire to contribute to a medical landscape where lack of language proficiency doesn’t translate into poorer outcomes, and where all patients are empowered to take ownership of their health. Drawing from my own experiences, I aim to foster strong relationships with my patients, forming a cohesive team dedicated to achieving optimal health and well-being.”

Carolina was a Dr. Leitao Memorial Scholarship recipient in the College category in 2024 and now being awarded a 2nd scholarship in the Medical School category.

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Michaela Olah  

Michaela Olah graduated from Wellesley College in 2024 and she is taking a gap year working at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at UMass Chan Medical School.

 

Michaela shares her deep connection to her Portuguese heritage, influenced by her immigrant grandparents and the nostalgic Fado music. Michaela's caregiving experience with her grandmother taught her the importance of addressing both emotional and physical health in patient care. Her Portuguese-American upbringing and recent visits to relatives throughout continental Portugal, and especially her grandmother’s hometown in the Trás-os-Montes region, have fueled her commitment to culturally competent care and health equity. She has been accepted to multiple medical schools for class of 2029 and will be making her final decision soon. 

 

In her own words, Michaela expressed “As the first physician in my family, I hope to utilize my medical education to serve diverse communities with cultural humility. My experiences will further fuel my compassion with marginalized groups who may feel a disconnect with the healthcare system. I am eager to lead healthcare teams to bring individualized approaches to empower patients and their families from various backgrounds.”

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Miranda Ribeiro BSN, RN, ANB-BC

Miranda RIBEIRO (ne Melo) is a first-year student in the Masters program in Nursing Leadership and Administration at the University of Phoenix. She obtained her Bachelors in Nursing from UMass Lowell and she has remained actively involved in the Portuguese American community in Lowell.

 

Raised with Portuguese as her first language and serving in various community roles, she pursued a career in nursing with a focus on improving healthcare access for the local Portuguese community. As a nurse manager at Lowell Community Health Center, she has advanced in her career while helping Portuguese-speaking patients navigate the healthcare system.

 

Miranda plans to complete a master's degree in nursing leadership and administration and aims to advocate for equitable healthcare policies and support immigrant populations, particularly the Portuguese community.

 

Miranda states “my goal is to obtain a role as a nurse director in community health. I hope to build a team who understands and is focused on providing unbiased, equal care for all patients. I hope to be a bridge for our Portuguese community members, so they can achieve health and wellness.”

 

In 2019, Miranda received a Dr. Leitão Memorial Scholarship in the College category and is now being awarded a second scholarship in the Post-Grad category.

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Miranda Ribeiro
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Kaitlyn Rodrigues

Kaitlyn Rodrigues is currently a senior at Quinnipiac University in the Entry-Level Masters in Physician Associate Program, working towards a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and a minor in Biomedical Sciences. Kaitlyn’s goal is to continue her healthcare journey by earning a Master of Health Science and Physician Associate Certification. She is a first-generation American with Portuguese parents and values her cultural heritage, which has shaped her humble, hardworking, and generous character. 

 

She works at Baystate Children’s Hospital in the pediatric emergency room, where she treats children and often encounters Portuguese families. Her ability to connect with them, offering comfort through shared cultural understanding, is a source of personal fulfillment and motivation in her medical career.

Upon completing her training and becoming a Physician Associate, she plans to work in a Portuguese-speaking environment, or at least serve those who share her roots.

 

Kaitlyn expresses “When the time comes and I have completed my medical training and begin to practice as a Physician Associate, I plan on allowing this mission to live on and shine through. I will most likely be working in a Portuguese versed environment, and even when not, will eventually encounter someone with whom I share my roots. It is in those moments that I will strive most to make my family, and my community proud.”

Logan Costa

Logan Costa is enrolled in the Radiologic Sciences 3+1 accelerated program at Quinnipiac University, and is deeply connected to his Portuguese-American heritage.

 

He has volunteered at the annual town Festa in Ludlow, MA, participated in Portuguese language studies, and been an active member of the Portuguese Club in Loudlow, helping organize community events.

 

His goal is to complete his undergraduate education in Radiologic Sciences and pursue medical school to become a Radiologist.

 

He envisions making a positive impact in his community and beyond, with a commitment to service and creating change.

 

In his own words, Logan reports “I want to pursue a career such as Radiology in the medical field, because I find my purpose to lie within supporting the physical and mental health of others, but also the future innovative advancements interest me.”

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Sofia Ferreira

Sofia Ferreira is a freshman at Saint Anselm College where she studies Nursing. Inspired by a childhood experience at Mass General, she has always been drawn to nursing. After receiving compassionate care during a health scare, she decided to pursue a career in nursing.

Growing up in a family with immigrant roots, she has been actively involved in the Portuguese community in the Peabody area, volunteering through various initiatives, including cooking meals, donating goods, and supporting local nonprofits.

While at Bishop Fenwick High School and now in college, she continued her community service, gaining real-world experience through programs like the Webster House. As a nursing student and member of the Student Nursing Association, she is committed to serving the Portuguese-American community by improving health outcomes and advocating for culturally tailored healthcare. Her goal is to be a trusted advocate and provide support to those in need.

Sofia remarks “I remain grounded in my intention to help others, to make a difference and serve the Portuguese American community as a trusted advocate providing support through deep connections with patients and families. Fostering a more culturally tailored program that would significantly impact the well-being of this close-knit community that I love.”

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Hannah Gonçalves

Hannah Gonçalves is a freshman at Boston College pursuing a BS in Nursing. She was raised in a Portuguese-American household in Ludlow, MA and graduated from Ludlow High School in 2024.

 

She learned the language and culture of her ancestors and was inspired by her family's health challenges, particularly her father's battle with heart disease.

 

These experiences motivated her to pursue a nursing career, with a focus on providing culturally competent care to immigrant communities, including Portuguese-Americans. Hannah aims to bridge healthcare gaps and offer compassionate care in hospitals or community health centers.

 

Hannah shares “Through nursing, I hope to bridge these gaps and offer culturally competent care to underserved communities. I want to ensure that patients and their families feel heard, respected, and supported as they navigate the complexities of the healthcare system.”

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Hannah Gonçalves
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Nadia Paiva

Hannah Gonçalves is a freshman at Boston College pursuing a BS in Nursing. She was raised in a Portuguese-American household in Ludlow, MA and graduated from Ludlow High School in 2024.

 

She learned the language and culture of her ancestors and was inspired by her family's health challenges, particularly her father's battle with heart disease.

 

These experiences motivated her to pursue a nursing career, with a focus on providing culturally competent care to immigrant communities, including Portuguese-Americans. Hannah aims to bridge healthcare gaps and offer compassionate care in hospitals or community health centers.

 

Hannah shares “Through nursing, I hope to bridge these gaps and offer culturally competent care to underserved communities. I want to ensure that patients and their families feel heard, respected, and supported as they navigate the complexities of the healthcare system.”

Nadia Paiva

Sophia Olmos

Sophia is a senior at Ludlow high School and she wants to study Psychology in college. Her family comes from the Vidago area in the north of Portugal, and she credits her avós for shaping her identity and supporting her throughout life.

Growing up in a family that emphasized Portuguese heritage, Sophia learned the language from her avós and pursued Portuguese classes in high school. Inspired by her trips to Portugal, she developed a deep connection to the culture and language.

In high school, Sofia actively participated in the Ludlow Portuguese Club, contributing to events and learning more about her roots. Despite not having a Portuguese Club at her dream school, she plans to create one to continue connecting with her heritage. 

She shares “When I was little, my avó would sing ‘Atirei o Pau ao Gato’ for me to fall asleep.

My love and understanding of the Portuguese language opened up many opportunities for me to connect with my roots.”

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Sophia Olmos
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