About the Fund
The Dr. Samir Tuma Endowed Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to support Arab American students pursuing careers in medicine, uplifting the next generation of Arab American physicians to achieve their dreams and make contributions to the medical field.
Dr. Samir Tuma’s Story
This fund was established by Dr. Samir Tuma, an internationally recognized physician, researcher and philanthropist. Dr. Tuma is a trailblazer in the field of nephrology, dedicating his life to advancing kidney care.
Born and raised in Akka, Palestine, Dr. Tuma excelled in school, displaying the unique qualities of a future physician from a young age. He attributes his success to a scholarship he received as a student, which allowed him to continue his education. That financial support planted the seed of his commitment: if he ever had the means to support students, he would.
Accomplishments in Medicine
After receiving his medical degree from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Dr. Samir Tuma obtained a nephrology professorship at the University of Haifa. His work earned him a prestigious researcher award in 1974, which led to an invitation to an international congress of nephrology in Italy. There, he connected with leaders in the nephrology field, opening doors to opportunities in Los Angeles and, eventually, Houston, where he settled with his wife Grace.
Over his career, he held critical roles at and contributed to institutions such as Park Plaza Hospital (where he served as the Academic Chief of Nephrology and the Chairman of the Board for Institutional Review), Hermann Methodist Hospital, United Memorial Medical Care-Houston, Baylor University, the University of Texas and the Association of Healthcare Management.
At the time of his retirement in 2017 after over 50 years in the field, DaVita Kidney Care, where Dr. Tuma had served as the Medical Director, honored his contributions in the field by naming a competitive national award after him—the Tuma Innovation Prize in Nephrology, providing medals of honor and grants to young physicians exploring innovative solutions in nephrology. In 2024, Houston Methodist Hospital recognized his impact by naming the academic chair in nephrology after him, establishing an endowed fund to support future academic and clinical research in the field.
Commitment to Giving Back
Dr. Samir Tuma founded the Houston chapter of the Arab American Medical Association (AAMA) in 1979 and co-founded the National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA) to bring Arab American physicians and medical students together with a shared mission of mentorship, professional development, and community service.
He is the co-founder of the prestigious The Ben Qurrah Award for Excellence in Medicine, which is granted biannually to the best Arab physician in the world.
Having faced challenges securing housing while he was a young medical student in Jerusalem, Dr. Tuma collaborated with Rice University to build student dormitories to provide housing for eligible medical students who couldn’t afford it. Similarly, he also ensured that families accompanying loved ones receiving medical care at Houston Methodist Hospital had living accommodations nearby, alleviating financial burdens during critical times.
Even in retirement, Dr. Tuma continues to inspire. He rediscovered his love for Arabic poetry, a passion he had since the age of 15, and has published three poetry books.
This Scholarship
Through this scholarship fund, Dr. Samir Tuma wants to pay it forward once more—helping Arab American students overcome financial obstacles in their journeys to becoming physicians. The Dr. Samir Tuma Endowed Scholarship Fund is a tribute to his life-long contributions and an investment in the future of Arab American healthcare leaders.