The Fred and Barbara Borga Award was established in honor of Fred and Barbara Borga through the generosity of their son Dr. Ross Schwartzberg. The award supports outstanding undergraduate students at the University of Arizona who are majoring in Religious Studies for Health Professionals (RSHP) or Religious Studies with a concentration in RSHP.
The award winners are featured below with excerpts of why they chose Religious Studies:
Fiona Liyanage:
Religious Studies for Healthcare Professionals has fundamentally shaped how I understand medicine: not just as a science, but as a human practice. Growing up in a household influenced by both Buddhist and Catholic traditions, I became acutely aware early on of how belief systems shape the way people interpret illness, healing, and care. This perspective has continued to evolve through my coursework.
Through this field, I have had the privilege of developing a deeper understanding of how religion, culture, and personal values influence patients’ decisions, communication, and expectations in clinical settings. These insights have shown me that effective healthcare extends beyond diagnosis and treatment; it requires listening, cultural awareness, and respect for each patient’s worldview.
I am grateful for this scholarship, as it both alleviates financial burden and affirms the work that I do. As I prepare for medical school, I carry these foundations with me. They will allow me to approach patients with greater empathy and attentiveness; whether navigating complex, belief-informed decisions or meeting a patient for the first time, with openness, tact, and embracing the uncertainty. RSHP has taught me that compassionate care is not separate from clinical care, but essential to it.
Morgan Branch:
Receiving the Fred and Barbara Borga Award is incredibly meaningful to me as I work toward completing my degree at the University of Arizona and preparing for medical school. This support allows me to take essential summer courses and stay on track to graduate on time. As a Religious Studies and Classics student, I am passionate about understanding how culture, ethics, and belief shape the human experience, especially in healthcare. This award not only relieves financial stress, but also strengthens my ability to pursue medicine with empathy, purpose, and a strong humanistic foundation.