New YSU Foundation Scholarship Honors
Dr. Phillips, Mrs. Phillips

The YSU Foundation, the sole fundraising arm of Youngstown State University, is pleased to announce the creation of the Dr. Alexander K. Phillips and Toula C. Phillips Memorial Scholarship for students at Youngstown State University.

The scholarship was recently established by The Alexander and Toula Phillips Charitable Foundation in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Phillips, whose philanthropy touched many lives and supported an array of causes in Youngstown.

Originally from Buenos Aires, Dr. Phillips’ family immigrated to the Youngstown area when he was four years old. Dr. Phillips knew at a young age that he wanted to pursue a career in medicine; after returning from World War II, he established his general surgery practice. He met his future wife, Youngstown native Toula Carvelas, at a dance at St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church; they would later raise their five children on the North Side of Youngstown.

Dr. Phillips, M.D., F.A.C.S., enjoyed a career as the Chief of Surgery and later Chief of Staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital (now Mercy Health), and Toula remained a dedicated community advocate and philanthropist.

Jim Sisek, the Phillips’ former attorney, noted how Dr. and Mrs. Phillips “…had a great interest in education and established this Foundation to assist students with their medical education.” Attorney Tom Lodge also aided the family foundation in establishing this gift.

The scholarship serves YSU undergraduate students in the Pre-Medical track of either the Biology or Chemistry major, with preference given to juniors and seniors. Students must have a 3.25 GPA, and financial need is a significant consideration.

Dianne Avlon, the Phillips’ daughter, said, “Our parents were keenly aware of the additional stress financial pressure can put on pre-medical students pursuing their undergraduate degrees, as that was our father’s experience. For that reason, they were committed to creating an endowment to help alleviate that pressure for premed students at Youngstown State University, in the city they so loved…”

For information on how to endow a scholarship, contact the YSU Foundation at 330-941-3211.