JKCF Quinn Prize Recipient Matthew Loftus

Posted July 10, 2014 | By Cooke Foundation Staff

2014 Matthew J. Quinn Prize recipient Matthew Loftus has been a Foundation Scholar since 2004.The University of Maryland School of Medicine graduate was selected as an Undergraduate Transfer Scholar in 2004 and a Graduate Scholar in 2007 and has been building up an exhaustive list of accomplishments, leadership roles, and awards along the way.

In 2004 Matthew transferred from Harford Community College to the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) with a 4.0 GPA and an associate’s degree in chemistry. After completing a B.S. in chemistry at UMBC, he enrolled in the University of Maryland School of Medicine where he earned an M.D.

As a leader, Matthew excels. He currently serves as chief resident at Medstar Franklin Square Family Residency, an elected position. In school he served as vice president of the Rho Beta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Harford, vice president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at UMBC, and president of the Christian Medical Society at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

To be closer to a church in the Sandtown neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland, Matthew moved with his wife and daughter into a “blue camera” area—a street where cameras are placed to monitor heavy drug trafficking. There he spearheaded an organization called Healing Connections, which tends to the mental and spiritual health needs of members in this community.

Also on our blog: “2014 Quinn Prize Winner Shrochis Karki and The Samaanta Foundation“

The Jack Kent Cooke Scholar also boasts an incredible volunteer resume of volunteer medical, mentor-based, and international missions, as well as a few hobbies. Matthew writes and records music with friends and performs at churches and a senior center. He is also working on a book—a collection of songs, stories, and poems that deal with mental health and spirituality.

“Matthew is approachable and works well with others in the program, always eager to provide a listening ear or an interesting story,” says Sallie Rixey, vice chairman of family medicine at MedStar Franklin Square. “He is well-regarded by nurses and ancillary staff, who find him to be kind, joyful and patient.”

Congratulations, Matthew!

For more about Matthew’s life and work, follow his blog and twitter. You can access Matthew’s recorded music on the left-side panel of his blog’s homepage.