In May 2025, Inspire Health Medical Group made a significant contribution to the San Joaquin Valley Medical Scholarship Foundation (SJVMSF), marking the beginning of a four-year pledge to invest a total of $140,000 in funding for medical education expenses. In collaboration with the support from SJVMSF, the total scholarship award has reached an impressive $55,000, culminating in an overall investment of $220,000 over the four-year period.
The San Joaquin Valley Medical Scholarship Foundation was established in 2019 with a clear and impactful goal: to reduce the financial challenges associated with medical school for 20 primary care physicians who care for the Central Valley’s underserved populations.
For over 45 years, Inspire Health Medical Group has been committed to the recruitment of high-quality physicians in the Central Valley, sharing a mission with SJVMSF to ensure that patients in the region have access to comprehensive care. Many of these patients would otherwise face significant barriers in accessing the healthcare they need.
In August 2025 this prestigious scholarship was awarded to Dr. Samantha Schmitz. Dr. Sam Schmitz (she/they) is a family medicine physician who is passionate about integrating LGBTQ+ health into primary care. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Dr. Schmitz moved to Iowa for college before coming to Fresno in 2023 to complete residency in Family Medicine at UCSF Fresno.
As an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and equitable access to healthcare, Dr. Schmitz was thrilled when presented with the opportunity to co-found The Fresno Collective for Inclusive Medicine alongside Dr. Julie Nicole, helping to address the healthcare disparities faced by underserved communities in Fresno. The clinic officially incorporated in October 2024 and opened their first location in June 2025, offering services that include gynecology, pediatrics, and electrolysis, with hopes to expand in the future.
Recognizing the need for primary care in the area, Dr. Schmitz will remain at The Fresno Collective for Inclusive Medicine after she graduates from her residency program in 2026. In doing so, she will provide primary care services in downtown Fresno, directly contributing to the mission of the San Joaquin Valley Medical Scholarship Foundation: to alleviate the burden of medical school debt for physicians who commit to serving in underserved communities for at least four years.
For those interested in supporting this vital initiative, donations can be made, and more information can be found by visiting the website of the San Joaquin Valley Medical Scholarship Foundation.