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Indian-American doctors fund scholarship at Methodist University Medical School
The couple were also honored for their philanthropy, leadership and decades of community service.
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Bhavana P - Wed, 24, Jun 2026
- 15:57 EDT
- 46
The Guptas at the award celebration with President Wearden and Provost Blum Malley in the foreground / Methodist University
Methodist University has established the “Drs. Rakesh and Vinita Gupta Annual Merit Scholarships & Endowed Enrichment Scholarships” at the newly opened Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine.
The scholarship was made possible through a $500,000 donation from Indian-American physicians Rakesh Gupta and Vinita Gupta. Of the total donation, $100,000 will be available immediately to fund merit-based scholarships for students entering the School of Medicine in 2026 and 2027.
The remaining $400,000 will be invested as an endowed fund to support enrichment scholarships for eligible students after their first year of medical school.
Also read: Indian-origin student wins Hofstra Inaba Scholarship
Rakesh Gupta, a retired gastroenterologist and longtime leader within Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley Health, and Vinita Gupta, a board-certified pediatrician and U.S. Army veteran, made the contribution to support future medical students and advance the school’s educational mission.
School of Medicine founding dean Hershey Bell said the donation will help attract talented future physicians while also providing opportunities for students to pursue experiences that broaden their educational and professional development.
“By supporting both merit scholarships and enrichment opportunities, their gift not only helps attract exceptional future physicians but also empowers students to pursue experiences that will broaden their perspectives and strengthen their commitment to serving others. This scholarship reflects the Guptas’ deep belief in education, mentorship, and the transformative power of investing in the next generation of physician leaders,” Bell said.
In recognition of their philanthropy, leadership and decades of community service, the Methodist University board of trustees honored Rakesh Gupta with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award and Vinita Gupta with the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award. Presented since 1925, the awards recognize individuals who exemplify noble character, humility and selfless service to others.
“Vinita and I are very honored, humbled and incredibly grateful for the ‘Mary Mildred Sullivan’ and ‘Algernon Sydney Sullivan’ Awards conferred by Methodist University. This was a wonderful day for us, wherein we attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the School of Medicine and then the award ceremony attended by the MU trustees, Dr. Wearden, and the administration,” Rakesh Gupta said.
“Our journey has been very joyous and enriching. We have made many friends along the way and to give back in a small way is extremely rewarding and we are grateful for the opportunity,” he added.
The scholarship gift comes as the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine officially begins operations. The school held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 11 to mark its opening.
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