Davis Scholarship
William Hersey Davis, Jr., MD
The Scholarship honors Dr. Davis, who was the first Chief Resident in Pediatrics at the North Carolina Memorial Hospital and in the UNC Department of Pediatrics.
About Dr. Davis
Dr. Davis was a beloved husband, son, father, and grandfather. He was also a mentor to countless young people and physicians. Born in 1918 in Louisville, Kentucky, Dr. Davis received his BA and his MD degrees cum laude from Duke University. After service in WWII, he completed his residency in pediatrics at UNC.
Dr. Davis practiced pediatrics in Winston-Salem, North Carolina for 40 years. He taught as a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Bowman Gray School of Medicine from 1955 to 1990, and was Clinical Professor Emeritus from 1990 until his death in 1999.
He received the North Carolina governor’s award, the “Order of the Longleaf Pine” for his work in neonatology. Dr. Davis was married to Clarice Tyson Davis for 56 years. Mrs. Davis’ warm and captivating personality delighted early Davis recipients as she always went out of her way to get to know each one personally up until her death in 2014.
About the Scholarship
The Pediatric Student Scholarship is funded through a generous gift from Pamela Davis Leight (daughter of Dr. Davis) and George Staples Leight, Jr., M.D. The recipient will be awarded a $10,000 tuition scholarship. If the student’s tuition has already been covered, the student may use the scholarship money for room and board or other living expenses.
UNC medical students who anticipate graduation within the next year and who intend to specialize in pediatrics or medicine/pediatrics are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
The medical student selected as the Davis Pediatric Scholar will be one who demonstrates a scholarly approach to pediatric medicine; an exemplary sensitivity, concern and care for children of all backgrounds; a special talent for putting patients and parents at ease; a willingness to both listen and provide clear explanations; a recognizable ability to gain the trust of patients, families, and other medical providers; high moral standards and ethical values; and a passion for enhancing the well-being of children everywhere.
We established this scholarship to acknowledge how much he taught us and others about courage and caring."
-Clarice Tyson Davis
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted no earlier than July 1st with a final deadline of August 15th. Please submit the forms and letters listed below electronically to Sheila Graham-McDonald: sheila_graham@med.unc.edu. Please include all materials in one email.
Applicants must submit:
- Curriculum vitae
- Personal statement
- Letter of recommendation from each of the following
- a pediatric resident
- a pediatric faculty member who is not a member of the scholarship selection committee
- any non-family member who is familiar with the applicant’s character or any accomplishments that would qualify her/him for this award. This letter should not be from an additional pediatric faculty member.
- Transcripts of pre-clinical grades and third year rotation (Sign consent form in Registrars Office, Room 1001 Bondurant).
Applications will be reviewed and, if necessary, interviews will be given to the finalists. The finalists will interview with the scholarship committee. The scholarship committee is composed of faculty members, former Davis scholars, and education administrators. The committee is chaired by Dr. Alison Kavanaugh. The award will be presented by Dr. Kavanaugh at a fall Department of Pediatrics Grand Rounds.
Please feel free to call Sheila Graham in the Office of Financial Aid (919-962-6117) if you have any further questions.