Stephen M. Brooks M.D. '76 REACH Scholarship Fund
at Harvard Medical School
Benefactor Report
March 2026
Table of Contents
01.
Letter from the Dean for Medical Education
02.
Student Profiles
Letter from the Dean for Medical Education
Bernard S. Chang AB ’93, MD, MMSc ’05
Bernard S. Chang,
AB ’93, MD, MMSc ’05
Bernard S. Chang AB '93, MD, MMSc '05 | Dean for Medical Education | Daniel D. Federman, MD Professor of Neurology and Medical Education
25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115 | t: (617) 432-6250 | e: Bernard_Chang@hms.harvard.edu
CC: Lonnie Norris
This year, 23 first‑year medical students received REACH scholarships, bringing the total number of current recipients to 85. Together, these 85 students will receive almost $2.2 million in REACH support during the 2025–2026 academic year. This funding reduces their student loan debt by the same amount, allowing them to move forward in their training without overwhelming financial pressure. Because of Dr. Brooks, these students can pursue careers that reflect their passions, values, and commitment to service.
Your family’s generosity shapes not only the lives of these future physicians but also the well-being of the patients and communities they will care for throughout their careers. By bolstering financial aid for exceptional students with demonstrated need, Dr. Brooks’ gift helps cultivate compassionate, thoughtful leaders who will serve our increasingly diverse society with sensitivity and insight.
On behalf of the entire Harvard Medical School community, we send our thanks to your family for believing in our students and investing in their promise.
Sincerely,
March 10, 2026
Dear Wes and Ashley,
Thank you for your role in facilitating Dr. Stephen Brooks’ bequest gift to support the Harvard Medical School’s REACH Scholarship Program. The Stephen M. Brooks, M.D. '76 REACH Scholarship Fund has enabled admitted students with significant financial need to pursue an HMS education without incurring additional debt, allowing them to focus fully on their studies and follow their passions. Our REACH scholars—who embody the values of Resilience, Excellence, Achievement, Compassion, and Helping the underserved—strengthen our community with their diverse experiences and dedication to advancing health care. I’m pleased to provide you with updates on the 2025–2026 recipients of the Stephen M. Brooks, M.D. '76 REACH Scholarship Fund, who can pursue their medical education with greater confidence thanks to Dr. Brooks’ foresight and generosity.
Research and
Community Service
Christopher is interested in cardiology, cardiac surgery, anesthesiology, and health policy.
BS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2025) MD, Harvard Medical School (Class of 2029)
2026 Stephen M. Brooks M.D. ’76 REACH Scholar
MD Program (Pathways track)
Alvin Zou
Alvin Zou
Pathway to Medicine and Research
Alvin grew up in a low-income immigrant household that relied on public support, becoming the first in his family to navigate the U.S. education system. Early years in Fuzhou, China, followed by a childhood in Queens, New York, sharpened his awareness of how social and economic forces affect health.
He graduated from MIT in 2025 with training in chemical-biological engineering, computer science, and molecular biology. At MIT, he tutored adults in English and citizenship preparation through the Individualized Tutoring for English and Citizenship (ITEC) program, eventually serving as co-leader. He also held leadership roles in E33, the student-run professional lighting group, progressing from technician to treasurer and production manager. To grow his clinical experience, he volunteered in the adult orthopedic surgery recovery unit at the Hospital for Special Surgery, the pediatric intensive care unit and chemotherapy infusion center at Massachusetts General Hospital, and as an adult inpatient volunteer with NYC Health.
Alvin matriculated at Harvard Medical School in 2025 and plans to pursue a career that links chemical biology, computational methods, and patient-centered clinical care, particularly in oncology. He hopes to use molecular tools, such as bispecific antibodies and targeted protein degradation (PROTACs), to design precise cancer therapies and pair this scientific focus with a commitment to attentive, empowering care for patients and their families.
Support from financial aid donors has allowed Alvin to pursue his goal of a medical education at HMS and to dedicate himself fully to research and service without the constant pressure of financial insecurity.
Stephen M. Brooks M.D. '76 REACH Scholars
Christy Zheng
BA, Yale University (2022)
MA, Yale University (2022)
MD, Harvard Medical School (Class of 2027)
2026 Stephen M. Brooks M.D. ’76 REACH Scholar
MD Program (Pathways track)
Christy Zheng
Pathway to Medicine and Research
Christy Zheng grew up in New York City and Roselle Park, New Jersey, and is a first-generation college graduate. She earned a BS and an MS in biomedical engineering and a certificate in global health studies from Yale University. She is particularly interested in advancing cardiovascular medicine at the intersection of imaging, machine learning, and outcomes research.
Now in her third year of medical training at HMS, Christy is pursuing research that uses computational methods to more accurately characterize cardiovascular risk. In the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, she helped develop a machine-learning–derived “cardiac age” from transthoracic echocardiography and related it to cardiovascular health and functional status, which was published in The Journals of Gerontology. Christy has presented her imaging and outcomes research at national cardiology conferences alongside mentors from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC).
In addition to her research activities, Christy volunteers as a junior clinician at BIDMC, dedicating her Tuesday evenings to patient-centered primary care.
Christy is extremely grateful for the opportunity to immerse herself in her medical training and research. The generosity of donors has lifted what would have been a significant financial burden, allowing her to fully focus on rigorous coursework and engagement in a supportive community.
Impact of Financial Aid