Ather Ali Scholarship
At the age of 42, Ather Ali, ND MPH MHS, passed away of complications from metastatic esophageal cancer on October 26, 2017. Ather was a humble, intelligent, generous, soft-spoken and gentle human being. He was loved by many and will be remembered by all who were touched by his life. Ather was truly selfless. He graduated from Bastyr University in 2003 with a degree in naturopathic medicine.
He was one of very few naturopath physicians in North America who became truly integrated into an academic medical center and assumed a leadership position in integrative medicine. He was the founding director of the Yale Program in Integrative Medicine. He was an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Yale and was at the time of his death the Medical Director of Integrative Medicine at Smilow Cancer Hospital. He died at Smilow, the Center he poured his heart and soul into.
He was a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar, NCCIH F32 postdoctoral fellow, and recipient of a K23 Career Development Award. He consulted with the Turkish Ministry of Health on Traditional Medicine Practices and was a visiting fellow at the Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine. He was a national and international leader in integrative medicine and health. He completed innovative research on irritable bowel syndrome, Lyme disease, nutritional interventions, diagnostic testing, fibromyalgia, and the microbiome.
He truly loved his Academic Consortium friends and colleagues, and always expressed gratitude for the mentorship and guidance he received. His contributions to the Consortium were numerous and included serving as Research Working Group Chair, At Large Board Member, lead on website redesign, and Conference Planning Committees. He provided wise and thoughtful guidance on our direction. He spoke many times of his appreciation for being part of our community.
Scholarship Description
The Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health (Academic Consortium) Ather Ali Scholarships for NDs were established with support from the Samueli Foundation to honor the life, work, memory and spirit of Ather Ali, ND, MPH, MHS.
Based on generous funding from Ather's parents, Akbar and Sahibzadi Faizunisa, two $2,500 scholarships will be provided to support the travel expenses (hotel, registration, transportation and meals) for two Naturopathic Physicians to attend the Academic Consortium's International Congress which takes place every year. These scholarships are available to any individual that is a Naturopathic Physician; or training to become one.
Requirements for Scholarship Recipients
Scholarship recipients are required to attend the entire International Congress from April 11 - 13, 2024.
Application Process
The Ather Ali Scholarship for NDs deadline is on October 30, 2023.
- Letter of interest stating why you believe you are worthy of this scholarship
- CV
- Recommendation from a colleague
The submission deadline has passed.
Selection and Notification
The winners will be announced on November 17, 2023 and will be acknowledged at the International Congress.
The Ather Ali Scholarship is supported through a grant from the Samueli Foundation. The Ather Ali Scholarship is also supported through a grant from the parents of Ather Ali, Akbar Ali & Sahibzadi Faizunisa A Ali.