Dr. Bruce Blank, DPM ’87, and his wife Diane have recently made a generous gift to establish an endowed scholarship fund at the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine (KSUCPM). This $300,000 gift is the largest individual donation from an alumnus since KSUCPM acquired the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM) in 2012. The endowed fund will provide up to $13,000 in annual scholarships for podiatric medical students.
The scholarship is available to students who maintain a 3.3 GPA, are in good standing academically, and have served as an elected leader of a student association at any time during their four years at KSUCPM.
Dr. Blank retired from Achilles Foot & Ankle in 2022 after practicing in the St. Clairsville, OH, Martins Ferry, OH, and Wheeling, WV areas for 32 years. In 2005, he was named Alumnus of the Year by the OCPM Board of Trustees and delivered a speech titled "What it Means to Become Members of a Profession" at the graduation ceremony. Dr. Blank received the Champion of Podiatry Award from the Ohio Podiatric Medical Association (OPMA) in 2009 and the Ohio Foot and Ankle Medical Association (OHFAMA) Service Award in 2018. He was inducted into the KSUCPM Hall of Fame in 2014.
Throughout his career, Dr. Blank has been an advocate for the podiatric profession, serving in numerous political roles at local, state, and national levels. He was elected President of the Ohio Podiatric Medical Student Association during his time in podiatry school, which sparked his lifelong commitment to professional advocacy. He served on the Board of Trustees of OHFAMA, eventually becoming its President, and represented Ohio as a delegate for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) House of Delegates in Washington, DC, for over 20 years.
In 2019, Dr. Blank co-chaired the first Podiatric Medicine Exhibit at the World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia. He facilitated a partnership with KSUCPM, other colleges of podiatric medicine, and industry representatives to provide workshops on podiatric medicine and surgery to scouts and leaders. This initiative introduced hundreds of participants to the field, reflecting Dr. Blank's commitment to education and outreach. As an Eagle Scout, this project held special significance for him.
Dr. Blank's dedication to the profession and his substantial gift to KSUCPM will have a lasting impact on future podiatric medical students, providing them with valuable financial support and inspiration.