Natascha Richardson, daughter of Antje and Ray Richardson, has been accepted into the US Army’s Health Professions Scholarship Program. She is currently a Senior at the University of Kentucky where she will graduate May 7 with a degree in Biology / Pre-Med and Minors in German and Neuroscience. By accepting this scholarship her medical school studies are fully paid for, she receives a $20,000 sign on bonus, as well as a monthly stipend of over $2,000. The total value of the scholarship is close to $250,000.

As a scholarship recipient she was commissioned into the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant and will be promoted to Captain upon graduation from medical school. She has an active service obligation for each year she will be in medical school with an additional obligation for residency and fellowship training for a total of no more than 6 years.

Natascha is currently wanting to specialize in psychiatry but is keeping an open mind and is excited to embark on this adventure. She will begin her medical school training in July at the University of Louisville.

Some of the benefits for which Natascha will be eligible include:

·         Variable Special Pay of $1,200 to $12,000 annually, based on length of service

·         Board Certification Pay of $2,500 to $6,000 annually for board-certified physicians

· Medical Additional Special Pay of $15,000
Incentive Special Pay of $12,000 to $36,000 paid annually

·Multiyear Special Pay of $6,000 to $14,000 annually, based on specialty and total number of contract years served

·Provides up to $120,000 to pay down qualifying medical school loans through the Active Duty Health Professions Loan Repayment Program; participants receive $40,000 per year for three years.

(The last one won’t apply to her as all of her schooling thus far has been fully funded by the University of Kentucky and she will be graduating there debt free on May 7th.)

In the summer of 2018 she will spend six weeks at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio for Officers and Leadership training. This scholarship pays for her tuition, books, most lab fees, provides a stipend to fund her housing, as well as food allowance.