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Dermatology PA Foundation Announces 2026 Medical Missions Scholarship Recipients
The Dermatology PA Foundation (DPAF) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Medical Missions Scholarship: Michael Overcash, PA-C, and Allison Rabe, PA-C. Both recipients exemplify the spirit of service, compassion, and global outreach that this scholarship was created to support.
Through their dedication to improving access to healthcare in underserved communities, Michael and Allison have demonstrated how physician associates can make a lasting impact far beyond the walls of their clinics. We are honored to support their continued mission work and look forward to following their journeys.
Michael Overcash, PA-C: Building Sustainable Healthcare Around the World
For more than two decades, Michael Overcash has combined his passion for dermatology, education, and humanitarian service to improve healthcare access across the globe.
A dermatology PA based in Charleston, South Carolina, Michael began his journey into medical missions in 1997 as a French and Spanish interpreter on Christian mission trips. What started as a volunteer opportunity quickly became a calling that inspired his pursuit of medicine and surgery. Since becoming a dermatology PA in 2002, he has organized and directed medical mission projects throughout Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
In 2008, Michael co-founded the nonprofit organization OneWorld Health alongside a longtime college friend. Together, they have helped build 20 clinics in communities with limited access to healthcare. These clinics are staffed by local healthcare professionals and remain open year-round, creating sustainable systems of care that serve millions of patients. Visiting teams of providers and students regularly travel to these locations to expand specialty care services and provide additional training.
Beyond his international work, Michael is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of healthcare providers. He frequently hosts students in clinical rotations and enjoys teaching through conferences and educational programs. His passion for advancing the profession also extends to academic medicine, serving since 2016 as the Dermatology Department Editor for JAAPA and as a principal investigator at his practice.
Reflecting on his years of service, Michael says one of the greatest rewards has been watching former student volunteers grow into leaders of their own community and international health initiatives.
"The true treasures are all the stories of patients whose lives are changed, or even saved, one encounter at a time," he shared.
Allison Rabe, PA-C: Expanding Access Through Compassionate Care
For Allison Rabe, providing compassionate, service-driven healthcare has been one of the most meaningful aspects of her career.
After graduating from Arcadia University's Physician Assistant program in 2018, Allison gained experience caring for patients in a variety of clinical settings before beginning her dermatology career in Salisbury, Maryland, in 2023.
Her commitment to serving others was strengthened through participation in a medical mission trip to Guatemala. The experience reinforced the importance of accessible healthcare and highlighted the profound impact that dedicated healthcare professionals can have in underserved communities.
Now, as a recipient of the 2026 Medical Missions Scholarship, Allison is preparing for another opportunity to serve internationally in 2027. She views the scholarship as both an honor and a catalyst for continued outreach.
"Receiving a scholarship through the DPAF is a tremendous honor, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue this work through another medical mission trip," Allison said. "I look forward to serving again in 2027."
Her dedication to patient-centered care and global service reflects the values that the Medical Missions Scholarship seeks to recognize and support.
Supporting a Tradition of Service
The DPAF Medical Missions Scholarship honors dermatology PAs who use their skills, knowledge, and compassion to improve the lives of patients in communities with limited access to healthcare. This year's recipients represent two unique journeys united by a shared commitment to service.
We congratulate Michael Overcash and Allison Rabe on this well-deserved recognition and thank them for their dedication to improving health outcomes both locally and globally. We look forward to seeing the impact of their future mission work and sharing their stories with our dermatology PA community.
