Dr. Kirby Announces Winner of the First Annual Texas Medical Excellence Scholarship
Fort Worth, TX—Emily J. Kirby, MD, is pleased to announce Gabrielle Hunter, an undergraduate pre-nursing student at Collin College in Wylie, Texas, as the inaugural recipient of the Texas Medical Excellence Scholarship. Dr. Kirby launched the scholarship earlier this year to recognize and support outstanding Texas students pursuing careers in a medical field, awarding $2,500 to help alleviate some of the financial burden associated with higher education.
“Our goal with the Texas Medical Excellence Scholarship is to give students the opportunity to pursue their dreams in the medical field without being held back by financial constraints, and we were thrilled so many deserving students applied,” said Dr. Kirby, Founder and Medical Director at Kirby Plastic Surgery and Kalos Medical Spa in Fort Worth. “Gabrielle embodies what this scholarship is all about: passion, resilience, and a dedication to making healthcare more accessible and compassionate. We are honored to support her journey and look forward to seeing the incredible impact she will make in the field of medicine.”
Gabrielle’s application stood out among a pool of exceptional candidates for her academic excellence, community service and leadership, and clear vision for her future in medicine. Her transformative volunteer experiences with organizations such as the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Streetside Showers McKinney not only sparked her passion for healthcare but also reinforced her commitment to helping others in need. Her essays, which described her dedication to addressing healthcare inequities and ensuring every patient feels supported, deeply resonated with the scholarship selection committee.
“As someone who is on the path to becoming a medical professional, I want to make my mark by being a source of support and hope for my future patients,” explained Gabrielle Hunter. “I want my patients to feel that, no matter how many setbacks they’ve faced or how many times they’ve heard ‘no’ or ‘I’m sorry,’ there’s always a chance for a ‘yes’ and a path forward. My goal is to be someone they can truly depend on—someone who listens, advocates, understands, and stands by them through their challenges. It’s important to me that they know they have someone in their corner.”
The Texas Medical Excellence Scholarship was established to encourage and support Texas students pursuing careers in medical fields such as medicine, nursing, dentistry, and pharmacy. The scholarship is open to Texas residents enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate medical programs, and the recipient may use the scholarship funds for various educational expenses, including tuition, textbooks, required technology, living expenses, and other educational needs.
Dr. Kirby noted, “We are grateful to be able to support students like Gabrielle, whose drive to uplift underserved communities and address healthcare disparities exemplifies the kind of leadership we need in medicine today. It is inspiring to see how her experiences have shaped her into a leader determined to serve her community, and it is a privilege to be part of her journey.”
Dr. Emily Kirby is an award-winning board-certified plastic surgeon known for her dedication to patient care and community support. Through her Fort Worth-based plastic surgery practice, medical spa, and surgery center, Kirby Plastic Surgery, Kalos Medical Spa, and City Surgery Center, she combines the latest surgical and non-surgical innovations with a compassionate, patient-centered approach to deliver safe, outstanding outcomes.
For more information about the Texas Medical Excellence Scholarship or Dr. Kirby’s practice, please visit her website or contact the office at 817-292-4200. Kirby Plastic Surgery and Kalos Medical Spa are located in The Shops at Clearfork at 5075 Edwards Ranch Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76109.
