The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation

Dr. Linda Rozell-Shannon, PhD President and Founder

Applications for the 2023-2024 Scholarship Program will be accepted from February 1 to April 30, 2023.

Through the VBF Scholarship Program, students who are living with a vascular birthmark, anomaly, or associated syndrome can receive financial assistance to pursue their educational goals.

SCHOLARSHIP DESCRIPTIONS • AWARD CRITERIA • APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS • DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

SCHOLARSHIP DESCRIPTIONS

Dr. Roy G. Geronemus Humanitarian Scholarship

Honoring Dr. Roy G. Geronemus for his charitable medical services for families affected by a vascular birthmark, tumor, or syndrome. One award of $1000 is available.
Read more about this VBF Scholarship.

Award Value: $1,000*
Academic Program: Undergraduate

GPA Requirement: None

Open to students in any academic field who, like Dr. Geronemus, have exhibited qualities such as caring, compassion, generosity, and who have donated time and service to help others in need.

Frank Catalanotto Perseverance Scholarship

Honoring VBF Co-Chairs Frank and Barbara Catalanotto for their tireless efforts to raise awareness for vascular birthmarks and their ongoing support of the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation. Two awards of $1000 each are available.
Read more about this VBF Scholarship.

Award Value: $1,000*
Academic Program: Undergraduate or Graduate

GPA Requirement: None

Open to students in any academic area who have demonstrated through their living with a vascular birthmark that they have both the “heart and hustle” qualities of life. Frank Catalanotto is a former Major League Baseball Player, the father of a child who had a vascular birthmark and was helped by VBF, and author of “Heart and Hustle,” a book chronicling his dream and journey to play in the big leagues. Frank’s story stresses the importance of persistence, tenacity, and perseverance for any child told that he or she is not good enough, was left behind, or was excluded from some team, club, or group.

Dr. Martin C. Mihm Health Career Scholarship

Honoring Dr. Martin Mihm, Jr. for his outstanding work in the research of vascular birthmarks. One award of $1000 is available.
Read more about this VBF Scholarship.

Award Value: $1,000*
Academic Program: Undergraduate

GPA Requirement: None

Open to students who choose to pursue a course of study in public health, health promotion, disability studies (including policy and research), or a related field of disability and health.

Dr. Ana M. Duarte Empowering Scholarship

Honoring Dr. Ana Duarte, MD, FAAP, FAAD, for her charitable medical services and tireless efforts to promote scholarship, academics, and empowerment in women. Three awards of $1000 each are available. Read more about this VBF Scholarship.

Award Value: $1,000*
Academic Program: Undergraduate or Graduate

GPA Requirement: None

Open to female students in any academic area who, like Dr. Duarte, seek to empower women through academic success, leadership, and scholarship.

AWARD CRITERIA

Applicant must:

  • Be enrolled as a full-time student in an undergraduate or graduate degree program (freshman or greater status) of an accredited United States university in the fall of the submission year;
  • Be a US citizen or legal resident living in the US;
  • Have a vascular birthmark, anomaly, or related syndrome, and provide documentation of their birthmark, if it is not visible;
  • Recipients to organize and conduct a VBF Day of Awareness and/or Fundraiser campaign on their college campus or on social media to advocate for birthmark awareness.
  • Not be a previous recipient of a VBF scholarship.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must complete the VBF Scholarship Program Application containing:

  • Personal statement (maximum of 800 words, double spaced), including brief personal history regarding educational/career goals, extra-curricular activities, humanitarian work to date, and the reason why you should be selected by the Committee.
    The statement must be written solely by the applicant.
  • At least one clear photograph and description of their vascular birthmark, anomaly, or related syndrome.
  • Permission for VBF to use the scholarship recipient’s name, picture and/or story in VBF news articles, annual reports, and/or future scholarship materials.
  • Submit an official copy of their high school/college transcript.
  • Provide two (2) Letters of Recommendation (one each from a teacher and an academic advisor).

DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • Online form completed.
  • Transcript and/or reference letters submitted to chris@birthmark.org
  • All application materials must be provided electronically in either .doc or .pdf formats.
  • Insert photograph showing birthmark within the application.
If your application is incomplete, it will not be considered.

*If provided separately, recommendations should be sent as .pdf e-mail attachments from the teacher or advisor to chris@birthmark.org; the student’s name should appear in the subject line of the email. 

PAST VBF SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES: