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UQ-Ochsner MD Program Student Receives 2025 Dr. and Mrs. Roy Gregory Scholarship
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Ochsner Health is proud to announce that The University of Queensland Medical School – Ochsner Health (UQ-Ochsner MD Program) student Kirsten Johnson has been named the recipient of the 2025 Dr. and Mrs. Roy Gregory Scholarship. The $3,000 award was established in 2018 to support senior medical students at the Ochsner Clinical School who commit to pursuing careers in family medicine and are dedicated to serving their communities, as exemplified by Dr. Gregory throughout his remarkable career.
“The UQ-Ochsner MD Program is proud to pave the way for the next generation of doctors through generous endowments like the Dr. and Mrs. Roy Gregory Scholarship,” said Leonardo Seoane, MD, FACP, executive vice president and chief academic officer for Ochsner Health. “Kristen Johnson has committed to pursuing her career in family medicine, and she has shown a genuine love for serving her community. Her service continues to uphold the legacy of Dr. Roy Gregory, whose longtime family medicine practice served as a vital pillar for his community.”
Kirsten is a fourth-year medical student at the UQ-Ochsner MD Program. Originally from Pennsylvania, Kirsten graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from West Virginia University. While there, she discovered her passion for community health through her volunteer work with the Global Medical and Dental Brigades organization.
Throughout medical school, Kirsten has remained deeply committed to serving people in need. She has volunteered extensively at Luke’s House Clinic in New Orleans, where she provides care to uninsured and Spanish-speaking patients. She has also served with the organization Floating Doctors in Panama, which has a mission to improve healthcare delivery worldwide. Her dedication to education and mentorship is equally strong. She has served as a Step 1 peer tutor and worked with the New Neighbor Project to teach English to non-native speakers.
Kirsten currently serves as president of the Family Medicine Interest Group and is an active contributor to the research community at Ochsner. Outside of her academic and clinical commitments, she enjoys walking rescue dogs and exploring New Orleans culture.
The Dr. and Mrs. Roy Gregory Scholarship was established by a generous endowment from Dr. and Mrs. Roy Gregory. Dr. Gregory practiced primary care for 37 years in Mandeville, La., providing full-service family medicine to meet the needs of his community. Along with his partner, Dr. Gerald Keller, this two-person practice was the first on the Northshore to join Ochsner, eventually growing into a primary care practice of 14 physicians with three locations in Covington. Dr. Gregory retired from practice in 1997.
About Ochsner Health
Ochsner Health is the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in the Gulf South, delivering expert care at its 46 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers. For 13 consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has recognized Ochsner as the No. 1 hospital in Louisiana. Additionally, Ochsner Children’s has been recognized as the No. 1 hospital for kids in Louisiana for four consecutive years. Ochsner inspires healthier lives and stronger communities through a combination of standard-setting expertise, quality and connection not found anywhere else in the region. In 2024, Ochsner Health cared for more than 1.6 million people from every state in the nation and 63 countries. Ochsner’s workforce includes more than 40,000 dedicated team members and over 4,900 employed and affiliated physicians. To learn more about how Ochsner empowers people to get well and stay well, visit https://www.ochsner.org/.
