DARIEN, IL – The AASM Foundation, in partnership with the Howard University Medical Alumni Association, is proud to support the 2025 HUMAA scholarship program by funding five scholarships for Howard University College of Medicine students. Administered through HUMAA, the scholarships aim to support students who have demonstrated interest in sleep medicine and financial need.
“This program reflects our commitment to expanding the field of sleep medicine and supporting the next generation of physician leaders,” said Dr. Lynn Marie Trotti, president of the AASM Foundation. “By partnering with HUMAA, we are able to help remove financial barriers for students while also fostering early exposure to sleep medicine as a specialty.”
Each AASM Foundation-funded scholarship is valued at $3,000 and can be used toward tuition, housing or other essential educational expenses. The scholarships are awarded through HUMAA’s existing scholarship program, which supports students at key moments in their medical education.
The 2025 HUMAA scholarship recipients are:
Tatiana Balabanis, MD, class of 2025
“My name is Tatiana Balabanis and I am a proud member of the Howard University College of Medicine Class of 2025. I am so excited to be graduating this year. I just wanted to extend my deepest gratitude to HUMAA and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation for awarding me the scholarship in recognition of future physicians interested in sleep medicine. As a pediatrician, I see the immense role that sleep medicine plays in development, especially in neonatal development. Sleep plays a critical role in early brain development, cognition, and overall health, so I am really excited to incorporate that into my practice as a physician. This scholarship makes a huge difference as I prepare to transition into my intern year. I plan on relocating to a new city, so intern year is filled with many financial challenges. This award will facilitate that process for me and allow me to focus all of my energy on what matters the most: my patients and providing the best care possible. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to HUMAA for collaborating with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation and for your commitment to medical students. Your support is not just financial. It lets us know that there are people out there rooting for us and people who are invested in our success as future physicians.”
Gabriel Carter, MD, class of 2025
“Hello, my name is Gabrial Carter, and I am a fourth-year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine. I first want to thank both HUMAA and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation for giving me the opportunity to receive this scholarship. It means a lot to me, it means a lot to other medical students, it means a lot to my family. All of us medical students are privileged to sit in front of all these donors each year, who have taken their time, hard work, and the money they earned to donate to us as medical students to help further us along this journey through medicine. This is not an easy journey, and that is something that I tell everyone. But, it is not a self-made journey; it is a journey full of lots of assistance from everybody. From deans, advisors, and even donors such as yourselves. So once again, thank you so much. I will use this money to help with the housing costs I incur once I start my residency, wherever I end up. I look forward to becoming a donor in the future.”
Sara Howell, MD, class of 2025
“My name is Sara Howell, and I am a graduating fourth-year student at Howard College of Medicine. I wanted to say thank you for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation Scholarship. As someone who was matched in Anesthesia, I work with patients who are asleep every single day. I am interested in the intersection of better sleep practices and how that can help me perform my job as an anesthesiologist. I am thankful that you are helping me cultivate this interest. This money will help me with transportation expenses in the upcoming months. I will have a lot of transition expenses, so it has taken an enormous load off me, and I am very grateful.”
Phiwinhlanhla Ndebele Ngwenya, class of 2026
“Hi, my name is Phiwinhlanhla Ndebele-Ngwenya. I am a third-year medical student at Howard University. I got the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation, and I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for this amazing donation. Before receiving this scholarship, I had no idea if I could complete an away rotation in my chosen specialty. Thankfully, this scholarship allows me to afford accommodations, travel, and living expenses while I go to another city to pursue an away rotation. Thank you so much for your generous donation. This is very helpful for us Howard University Medical School students. Also, I am genuinely inspired that when I do graduate, I will look back at other students who may be pursuing different careers in medicine and see how I can help them by giving back.”
Shivani Waghmare, class of 2026
“Hello. I am Shivani Waghmare, a third-year medical student at Howard University, class of 2026. I am incredibly grateful for the HUMAA and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation award. This scholarship award will help me with all the expenses currently taking a toll on me, such as my board exam fees and any costs that come with my research. I am currently researching neurology, and every time I submit a paper to a journal, there are always article publishing fees.”
“This year with our scholarship program, we hit new heights, and that success was in part because of [the AASM Foundation’s] support,” said Steven Titlebaum, executive director of the Howard University Medical Alumni Association. “This gift is a wonderful investment into the doctors of tomorrow.”
Through this partnership, the AASM Foundation continues to champion equitable opportunities in medical education and inspire young leaders to consider the critical role of sleep in overall health.
“Supporting students at this stage in their journey is a meaningful way to shape the future of our field,” Trotti said.
Applications for the 2026 scholarships will open in December 2025.
For more information about HUMAA, visit humaa.com.
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About the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation
The AASM Foundation is the official philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Our values, programs, and purpose are focused on investing in people, research, and communities to improve the sleep health of all people. Since 1998, the AASM Foundation has distributed more than $31.5 million in grants and awards that are making a critical impact in improving sleep health.
About the Howard University Medical Alumni Association
Howard University Medical Alumni Association, Inc. plays a critical role in supporting both current and future medical professionals from Howard University College of Medicine. Established in 1871 and incorporated in 1945, HUMAA is one of the oldest independent medical alumni associations in the U.S. The association is particularly proud of its legacy, as HUCM produces more Black doctors than any other institution in the country. In March 2025, HUMAA’s scholarship program awarded more than $360,000 to over 160 students — and more than $1.2 million in the past four years. HUMAA’s mission is deeply rooted in promoting the mutual professional interests of its over 5,000 alumni, ensuring they remain connected, supported, and empowered throughout their careers.
