Romero named 2022 Tillman Scholar
The Pat Tillman Foundation announced Chelsea Romero, third-year MD/MPH student, as a winner of its 14th class of Tillman Scholars.
The Tillman Scholarship recognizes 60 U.S. service members, veterans, and military spouses, in recognition of their service and leadership potential. The class receives scholarship funding to pursue higher education and continue service in the fields of health care, business, law, public service, STEM, education, and the humanities.
“It is truly an honor to become a Tillman Scholar,” Romero said. “So many extraordinary military members and their spouses are working toward tangible change in their respective fields. It’s hard to believe I can count myself among the ranks. This community welcomed me with open arms at the Pat Tillman Leadership Summit in Chicago.”
For Romero, the most important aspect of the scholarship is the community of men and women working in both military and civilian positions, who are working in nearly every field.
“Already, I’ve had the opportunity to meet several other physicians and medical students, as well as policymakers, engineers, and advocates working toward similar goals,” she said.
The scholarship will also greatly reduce the amount of debt Romero will take on, allowing her to complete dual degrees in medicine and public health.
“This means that the specialty I choose can be one of passion and purpose, not simply potential earnings,” Romero said. “The funding also means that my husband and I can start our family before I enter residency. It fulfills a lot of personal and professional goals.”
Romero’s husband, who served as a Navy SEAL for nine years, encouraged her to apply for the scholarship. Romero said that he was the first person to ask what she wanted to do with her life, and encouraged her to pursue a postbaccalaureate degree at Columbia University, in New York. Romero will soon take a research year to complete projects in public health before returning to graduate from McGovern Medical School in 2025.
The Pat Tillman Foundation was founded in honor of Pat Tillman, who after the attacks of September 11, 2001, put his NFL career on hold to join the U.S. Army in July 2022, committing to a three-year term. Assigned to the second battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment, Tillman served tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004.
On the evening of April 22, 2004, Pat’s unit was ambushed as it traveled through the rugged, canyon terrain of eastern Afghanistan. His heroic efforts to provide cover for fellow soldiers as they escaped from the canyon led to his untimely and tragic death via fratricide.
Pat’s family and friends started the Pat Tillman Foundation to carry forward that legacy by giving military service members, veterans and spouses who embody those principles the educational tools and support to reach their fullest potential as leaders, no matter how they choose to serve.
To date, the Pat Tillman Foundation has invested more than $24 million in scholar support and named more than 800 Tillman Scholars at nearly 150 academic institutions nationwide.