Shaping the Future of Health Care — One Scholar at a Time

In April 2025, six outstanding students from across UT Health San Antonio were selected as Presidential Ambassador Scholars. These students receive a $5,000 scholarship and will represent their schools and UT Health San Antonio at key events throughout the year.

Thanks to the support of generous President’s Council members, these scholarships allow students to focus more fully on their training, research, and service—building a pipeline of future physicians, nurses, dentists, scientists, and health care professionals who are ready to change lives and transform communities.

Aubree Perkins a first-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student in the School of Health Professions, grew up in San Antonio. Her passion for physical therapy began through volunteering with children with special needs and grew as she saw the impact of movement on aging adults. She gives back through the American Physical Therapy Association and the Texas Physical Therapy Association.

Brooke Heche, a third-year School of Nursing student, joined the U.S. Air Force after high school, trained in Aerospace Medicine, and became a nationally registered EMT. She served at Lackland AFB, earning leadership awards and advancing to non-commissioned officer. Now in UT Health San Antonio’s nursing program, she mentors peers and plans to continue her Air Force career in labor and delivery.

Henrietta Balinda, a first-year Master of Public Health student, is a research scientist at the Mays Cancer Center, focusing on cancer-related health access. Her passion for public health is deeply personal—after fleeing the 1994 Rwandan genocide, she lost her mother to a preventable infection in a refugee camp. That experience drives her mission to expand access to preventive care.

Hamsi Nathan, a third-year dental student in the School of Dentistry, is an Austin native. She is deeply involved in innovative research, exploring artificial intelligence and the management of diabetic patients. As a Class of 2026 Vice President, she advocates for her peers and has a goal of providing care to young patients with challenging dental conditions.

Alexander Weinstein, a first-year medical student at the Long School of Medicine, graduated with highest honors in biochemistry from the University of Texas, where he was a Distinguished College Scholar twice and a physics learning assistant. He volunteered at the Kerrville VA Hospital and now serves the community through student-faculty collaborative practice clinics and the food bank farm.

Erik Marchant, a third-year PhD student in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. His research focuses on investigating the mechanisms underlying insulin resistance and developing therapeutic strategies to improve muscle health. He is particularly interested in how aging contributes to the development of insulin resistance, diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

Support from President’s Council members helps make scholarships like these possible, fueling the education of tomorrow’s health care leaders.

Visit the UT Health San Antonio newsroom to read more.