MATHEW BALETTE, M.D. RECEIVES CMS FOUNDATION’S J. ORSON SMITH, M.D. SCHOLARSHIP IN INTERNAL MEDICINE

On behalf of the Capital Medical Society Foundation, Dr. J. Orson Smith awarded the J. Orson Smith, M.D. Scholarship in Internal Medicine to Mathew Balette, M.D. on May 19, 2023 at the Florida State University College of Medicine Annual Awards Ceremony.

The named scholarship, honoring Dr. J. Orson Smith, was created by an anonymous donor in recognition of and admiration for Dr. Smith’s passion for the practice of medicine and advancing the health of the underprivileged. FSU College of Medicine’s Internal Medicine Clerkship Directors nominated the recipient. The Capital Medical Society Foundation (CMSF) awards the scholarship based on its criteria.

Dr. Mathew Balette is an AOA student and Pensacola native. Mathew completed his 3rd year Internal Medicine clerkship as well as a 4th year IM Subinternship in Pensacola. Mathew received a grade of Honors in his 3rd year Internal Medicine clerkship based upon evaluations from faculty, patients, and support staff in combination with the NBME Medicine Subject Exam in the 98th percentile with the clinical performance evaluations of his faculty members.

After the 3rd year IM Clerkship, one of Mathew’s faculty stated he “was among the finest students he had the opportunity to teach.” Another summarized, “From the very beginning, it was clear Mathew desired to optimize his experience. Mathew completed the course requirements in near record time, always kept his patient encounter files up to date, and pursued answers to complex questions about his patients. His clinical engagement was more at the level of a Sub intern as he immersed himself to a higher degree than the usual 3rd year student in the diagnoses, care, and treatment decisions of his patients.”

During his 4th year, FSUCOM offers an Internal Medicine Sub-internship lasting 4 weeks. Students spend these weeks integrated into a ward team at a local IM residency. Comments from residency faculty described Mathew as a “stand out” among medical students and his performance as “stellar.” “Mathew checks all the boxes as an exceptional student. He does everything well and it appears to come to him easily.”

Mathew ultimately decided to attend the FSU College of Medicine because of its focus on patientcenteredness and its dedication to training physicians to work in the Panhandle of Florida. He still hopes to return to Pensacola to practice after he completes his training.

Hoping to follow Dr. J. Orson Smith’s example into internal medicine, he will be moving to Birmingham to complete his residency at the University of Alabama. Dr. Balette plans to return to the Panhandle to establish his internal medicine practice. Dr. J. Orson Smith encouraged Mathew in his next steps in his future of medicine and shared a story about his own experience in residency under the mentorship of the renowned Tinsley R. Harrison, M.D.

“Congratulations, Dr. Mathew Balette! We are very proud of you and wish you the best in your residency program and internal medicine practice. On behalf of the Capital Medical Society Foundation Board of Directors, we are quite proud to be a participant in the awarding of a scholarship to our first recipient of the J. Orson Smith, M.D. Scholarship in Internal Medicine to Dr. Mathew Balette. The CMSF Board of Directors wishes you the very best in your chosen profession and hopes that you will return to the Panhandle, perhaps, Tallahassee, to practice medicine,” shared Dr. John P. Mahoney, CMS Foundation President.