May 1, 2006

East Brunswick Regional Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation 

Grant for the Study of Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine

All young people entering healthcare need strong financial commitment.  I have gained an enormous respect for such costs, and have personally benefitted from the generosity and wisdom of others throughout my career.

When I entered medical school, a close friend of my parents – a beloved veterinarian – was kind enough to purchase all of my educational materials for my first year.  This reduced our otherwise extraordinary expenses, and gave me the emotional experience that I was studying medicine not just for myself, but for my family and friends as well.  His gift helped me to focus my efforts and to be absolutely the finest student I could ever be.

My children have entered the health field in a non-traditional manner.  Indeed, although I have been a medical oncologist, one of my daughters has selected the healing field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  My other daughter is, among other exciting pursuits, a Yoga expert. Therefore, my family witnesses a unique blend of scientific medical cultures from Eastern as well as from Western traditions.

For these reasons, the Dr. Michael and Marlene Nissenblatt Scholarship Fund is intended to support the purchase of educational materials for first or second year students who hope to enter careers in Traditional Chinese Medicine (including acupuncture and herbology) or conventional Western Medicine.  We would like this to symbolize our enthusiasm for helping young people pursue careers in health, and our desire to embrace those medical efforts regardless of their scholastic orientation.

We would like you to review the enclosed packet of materials describing the nature of this grant and the opportunities which it will afford young students engaged in a medical career. Applying for this grant will in its way honor the memory and intentions of the wonderful man who gave me my start.