Everest Family Foundation launches $2 million scholar program at Westchester Medical Center

By AI, Created 10:50 PM UTC, May 22, 2026, /AGP/ – The Everest Family Foundation has committed $2 million to Westchester Medical Center to launch the Everest Scholars Program, aimed at training physician-leaders for rural and underserved communities. The initiative expands graduate medical education at WMCHealth and underscores the foundation’s focus on academic medicine and access to care.

Why it matters: - The Everest Scholars Program is designed to help train physicians who are more likely to serve rural and underserved communities. - The initiative adds philanthropic support to graduate medical education at Westchester Medical Center, the flagship of WMCHealth. - The program could strengthen the pipeline of physician-researchers in settings where access to care is often limited.

What happened: - The Everest Family Foundation announced a $2 million philanthropic commitment to Westchester Medical Center. - The gift establishes the Everest Scholars Program at the Valhalla, New York, hospital. - The announcement was celebrated at a special reception during WMCHealth’s Departments of Medicine and Neurology Research Day on May 13, 2026, at the Taylor Conference Center in Valhalla. - The event brought together clinicians, researchers and medical educators.

The details: - The Everest Family Foundation was founded in honor of Dr. Edwin A.D. Everest. - Dr. Michael Everest serves as founder and chairman emeritus, and Mrs. Agata Everest serves as chairwoman. - The foundation describes its guiding principle as “Part of the Cure.” - Its research portfolio includes internal medicine, neurology, psychiatry, cardiology, oncology and public health. - The foundation places special emphasis on cardiac and diabetes research in tribute to Dr. Edwin Everest’s legacy. - Everest Scholars will be selected for commitment to evidence-based practice, academic excellence and medical education in underserved settings. - The program will use mentorship, expanded post-graduate opportunities and scholarly engagement at WMCHealth. - The goal is to strengthen the Graduate Medical Education system and improve care in the communities WMCHealth serves. - Westchester Medical Center Health Network is a 1,900-bed health system headquartered in Valhalla. - WMCHealth serves a population of three million across a ten-county region. - Westchester Medical Center is one of the leading academic medical centers in the Northeast.

Between the lines: - The gift ties philanthropy directly to workforce development, not just research funding. - The focus on underserved communities suggests the program is meant to address both physician training and access gaps. - The foundation’s broader work in veteran homelessness, orphanage support and mobile clinical care shows the medical gift fits into a wider service mission.

What’s next: - WMCHealth will incorporate Everest Scholars into its graduate medical education pipeline. - Scholars are expected to take part in mentorship and research activities while training for service in underserved areas. - The partnership may support additional academic and clinical initiatives tied to the foundation’s mission.

The bottom line: - The $2 million commitment turns a charitable gift into a long-term physician-training investment aimed at improving care where the need is greatest.