University of Utah medical student Alberto Mendivil was recently honored for his community leadership and academic prowess by receiving the Herbert W. Nickens, M.D. Minority Medical Student Scholarship.

The American Association of Medical Colleges? award only goes to five students a year. Mendivil is the first U student to receive the honor that recognizes third-year medical students from minority groups.

Mendivil is a student coordinator for the medical school?s community outreach program and has served as the co president of the U?s Association of Minority Medical Students and president of his second-year class.

He will receive $5,000 and a certificate of merit at the AAMC?s annual meeting held in Washington, D.C., this November.