BENEFACTOR REPORT

Class of 1961 Scholarship Fund

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George Q. Daley, MD, PhD
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine
Caroline Shields Walker Professor of Medicine

June 2026
George Q. Daley, MD, PhD

Dear Dr. Hyslop,

Sincerely,

Our financial aid program reflects our core belief that cost should never be a barrier to attending Harvard Medical School. Because of you, we can welcome outstanding students regardless of their financial means and enable them to begin their training with purpose and focus. 

As the representative of your class’s fundraising efforts, thank you for your generous commitment to financial aid at Harvard Medical School and for your support through the Class of 1961 Scholarship Fund. I am grateful for your leadership and for your classmates' collective philanthropy. I’m pleased to share this report on how your class’s philanthropy is making a difference in our students’ lives and in the future of medicine.

Harvard Medical School is proud to offer one of the most generous financial aid programs in the country. In fiscal year 2025, we awarded $31.2 million in MD financial aid, placing HMS sixth nationally in total MD scholarship funding awarded. Seventy-one percent of our MD students receive aid, with an average annual scholarship of $61,758, and half of our scholarship recipients qualify for our Middle Income Initiative, which adjusts the parental contribution expected from HMS families with the greatest financial need. Your class’s support is essential to maintaining this level of aid and directing resources to those with the greatest need.

Even in a current challenging financial environment, with uncertain federal support, we remain steadfast in our commitment to financial aid. With your class’s partnership, we can continue to prioritize access and opportunity for outstanding students.

Financial aid does more than ease financial pressure—it enables our students to fully engage in their education, research, and clinical experiences, and to pursue careers guided by impact and service rather than by financial constraints. Thank you to your class for helping to educate and inspire the next generation of physicians and physician-scientists.

Mohammed "Mo" Alashree

Class of 1961 Scholarship Fund

Health Sciences and Technology, Class of 2029

Path to Medicine

Mo grew up in Taiz and Sana'a, Yemen, survived childhood cancer, and witnessed political instability firsthand. As a teenager, he sought asylum in the United States, learned a new language, and supported himself through school. His cancer journey sparked a passion for cancer immunotherapy and understanding long-term treatment effects.

Training & Development

At Harvard College, Mo organized Harvard Pediatric Cancer Buddies events, directed workshops at Y2Y Harvard Square Homeless Shelter, and mentored students from conflict-affected regions through Syrian Youth Empowerment. During a research gap year, he strengthened his immunology training through atopic dermatitis studies, building experimental skills that now guide his path toward innovative, patient-informed cancer immunotherapies.

Access & Opportunity

Donor support enables Mo to pursue his goal of becoming a physician. Financial aid frees him from constant financial pressure, allowing him to dedicate himself fully to research, service, and advocacy.

AB, Harvard College (2023)

Your support of financial aid ensures that the world’s most promising students can attend Harvard Medical School, regardless of their financial means. In turn, these students, representing a wide range ofbackgrounds and perspectives go on to become innovators and leaders in the field of medicine. HMS is proud to have one of the most generous financial aid programs in the country.

 Thank you

We could not do this without you.

Class of 2029

HST

165

Students

PATHWAYS

135

30

15 students are pursuing both an MD and a PhD (MD-PhD)

14%

From groups historically underrepresented in medicine

62

Colleges

31

U.S. States

09

Countries

The Impact of Financial Aid

Average annual scholarship

$61,758

Qualify for the HMS Middle Income Initiative, which adjusts the parental contribution expected for HMS families with the greatest financial need.

50%

Come from a family whose annual income is $50,000 or less

1 in 5

Receive financial aid

71%

Student Beneficiary

The Impact

Office of Alumni Affairs and Development


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