Gandhi/Silani Annual Scholarship for Clinical Excellence
Why This Fund?
About Vipal Gandhi, OD and Kambiz Salani, OD
Less than one year after graduating from the College of Optometry, inaugural class members聽Vipal Gandhi, OD 鈥�13,听补苍诲听Kambiz Silani, OD 鈥�13, established the College鈥檚 first alumni scholarship, to be awarded annually.
The Gandhi/Silani Annual Scholarship for Clinical Excellence and Leadership Award supports students who demonstrate leadership and top clinical skills in a patient-care setting.
Silani said the College was supportive and committed to the student body, and that he and Gandhi wanted to create a scholarship to give back to the school that supported them unconditionally.
鈥淭hrough our efforts, our hope was to encourage our fellow classmates and underclassmen to join in similar altruistic endeavors,鈥� Silani said.
As students, Gandhi and Silani won student clinician of the year awards. Gandhi said that award changed the way potential employers perceived both of them, and they wanted to extend that same type of honor to other deserving students.
鈥淭his is a small way in which we can give back to the school that gave us so much,鈥� Gandhi said. 鈥淲e are hoping one day to have the scholarship endowed.鈥�
The pair has set a great example, which other early College of Optometry alumni are following, starting with聽Jason Drobeck, OD 鈥�15, and聽Harout Khanjian, OD 鈥�13, who have each created their own annual scholarships. In addition to the monetary award, Dr. Khanjian designed and created a sculpture symbolizing the balance of commitments that helped him succeed in optometry school; and Dr. Drobeck recognized the importance of giving back as soon as he was able to find a thriving practice opportunity by relocating to Connecticut, where he provides care in an area with high demand for eye care services.