Longtime FIU supporters Dr. Albert and Debbie Taño have established one of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine’s (FIU Medicine) most impactful scholarship opportunities.
The Taño Family Dean’s Scholarship provides full-ride tuition coverage, a housing stipend, and a research stipend, enabling outstanding students to pursue their dream of becoming physicians without the burden of overwhelming educational debt. The program awards 10 scholarships annually to exceptional medical students.
Designed to attract and retain top talent, the Taño Family Dean’s Scholarship is available to students with strong academic credentials, including a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.7 and an MCAT score of 515. Preference is given to students from Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties. Already, the scholarship is helping elevate the caliber of incoming classes, with the median MCAT score for the Class of 2030 increasing by three points over that of the Class of 2029. Another benefit of the scholarship is that it will help strengthen FIU Medicine’s national standing and rise in the rankings, creating a virtuous cycle that attracts even more exceptional students, faculty and researchers.
“Debbie and I wanted to create a merit scholarship that would help FIU attract the most talented and driven students, including those who might otherwise choose another highly competitive medical school,” said Dr. Taño. “Merit is about more than academic achievement. It reflects perseverance, discipline and a commitment to excellence. By removing financial barriers, we empower these students to realize their full potential as innovators, leaders and compassionate physicians.”
Luke Davidson is one of the first scholarship recipients. Born prematurely as one of triplets, he had to overcome a collapsed lung, a brain bleed, sepsis and other serious medical challenges. “It was only thanks to the healthcare professionals here in Miami that my sisters and I were able to eventually leave the NICU and grow up to become healthy adults,” Davidson said.
Now pursuing a career in medicine himself, Davidson feels the scholarship has given him both “hope and relief.”
“It’s hard to put into words how truly grateful I am for [the Taños’] generosity,” Davidson said. “The financial barriers that the gift will alleviate allow me to prioritize becoming the most knowledgeable and caring physician I can be here in South Florida. It allows me to stay here, where this community not only shaped me, but saved me as well.”
The Taños have been dedicated FIU supporters for nearly two decades. Albert Taño, a board-certified neonatologist and co-founder of Kidz Medical Services, has more than 35 years of experience in neonatal intensive care and pediatric emergency medicine. He is a member of the FIU Board of Trustees and vice chair of the Dean’s Advisory Council at FIU Medicine.
Debbie Taño has an extensive background in adult and pediatric intensive care nursing and is a passionate advocate for medical education. She chairs the college’s Parents Council and serves on the FIU Foundation Board of Directors, where she is vice chair of the Health Subcommittee. Together, they are proud parents of four children; three are physicians, including two FIU Medicine alumni, while their youngest daughter is currently enrolled at FIU Medicine.
Among the family’s most visible contributions to FIU is the Albert and Debbie Taño Medical Simulation Center. The facility provides hands-on training through advanced medical simulation, helping medical and physician assistant students build clinical skills and confidence in a safe, controlled environment.
Over the years, the Taños have supported FIU through scholarships, athletics facilities, the Trish and Dan Bell Chapel, and numerous other initiatives. Through the Taño Family Dean’s Scholarship, they are making another significant investment in FIU Medicine’s future by helping recruit outstanding students from across South Florida and strengthening the college’s reputation for excellence.
“The Taños’ leadership has helped elevate every aspect of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. As healthcare professionals and the parents of young physicians, they understand firsthand the importance of empowering medical students to shape the future of healthcare,” said Dr. Juan C. Cendan, dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and senior vice president for health affairs. “The strategic nature of their gift will create opportunities for exceptional students whose talents, discoveries, and commitment to patient care will strengthen our academic medical community and advance excellence in medicine for generations to come.”