CCM Health Surgeon Dr. Yuan Stevenson Awarded Prestigious Nizar N. Oweida, MD, FACS Scholarship
CCM Health Surgeon Dr. Yuan Stevenson Awarded Prestigious Nizar N. Oweida, MD, FACS Scholarship
CCM Health proudly announces that Dr. Yuan Stevenson, General Surgeon at CCM Health, has been selected as one of only three national recipients of the 2025 Nizar N. Oweida, MD, FACS Scholarship from the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This highly competitive scholarship supports surgeons practicing in rural areas, helping them advance their training and bring improved care to underserved communities.
The Oweida Scholarship, established by the Oweida family in honor of Dr. Nizar N. Oweida, a rural surgeon from Pennsylvania, provides a $5,000 stipend for recipients to attend the ACS Clinical Congress and pursue additional specialized training or research. Scholars are chosen for their commitment to advancing surgical care in rural communities and their potential to make a lasting impact on patient outcomes.
Dr. Stevenson will use the scholarship to expand her expertise in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), an advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technique. Thanks to previous community support and a grant from The Paisley Foundation, CCM Health acquired an EUS system allowing patients in Montevideo to access this critical service close to home, rather than traveling over two hours to larger centers. Dr. Stevenson has already performed approximately 30 EUS procedures locally and will now pursue additional advanced training to broaden CCM Health’s capacity for complex cases.
“This award is both an honor and an opportunity to expand the level of care available in Montevideo,” said Dr. Stevenson. “With the Oweida Scholarship, I will be able to enhance our endoscopy services and better serve patients who would otherwise need to travel long distances for specialized care. My goal is to ensure our community has access to the highest quality surgical care right here at home.”
Brian Lovdahl, CEO of CCM Health, praised Dr. Stevenson’s achievement by saying “We are incredibly proud of Dr. Stevenson’s recognition by the American College of Surgeons. Her dedication to advancing rural healthcare exemplifies CCM Health’s mission to provide compassionate, comprehensive care close to home.”
The award includes complimentary registration to the ACS Clinical Congress 2025 in Chicago, IL, where Dr. Stevenson will participate in specialized postgraduate training and share her experiences with the ACS Scholarships Committee and Advisory Council for Rural Surgery.