Galen V. Henderson internship program makes full circle to founder’s alma mater

Dr. Galen V. Henderson, a distinguished Tougaloo College graduate, served as Associate Medical Director of New England Donor Services and was the first Black neurointensivist in the United States. His death in 2023 left a significant void in the medical community but through his philanthropic efforts, he has ensured others have opportunity to carry on. 

It’s not often one alum’s philanthropy, which is not directly tied to their college or university, makes a full circle benefitting another graduate. However, that’s what happened when Jamie Bozeman was awarded the Galen V. Henderson MD internship. Bozeman is currently enrolled in the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Dr. Henderson’s widow, Dr. Vanessa Britto couldn’t be more pleased with Bozeman being selected to participate in the program. “Leaving a legacy of educational opportunity for students was paramount to Galen. And now to see Jamie, a fellow Mississippian and Tougaloo College graduate, be among the inaugural beneficiaries of the SEED program in his honor, makes his life’s work and passion for education, especially in the medical field, come full circle.”

The New England Donor Services (NEDS) is a federally designated Organ Procurement Organization responsible for the recovery of organs and tissues for transplant in the New England region. In Spring 2025, NEDS announced the inaugural class of the Galen V. Henderson, MD Stimulate Equity, Education, and Diversity (SEED) program honoring his life’s work. The SEED Program is an 8-week immersive experience developed for medical students of diverse backgrounds from across New England to learn more about and to improve fairness in organ donation and transplantation. The immersive experience ran from June 2 to July 24, 2025. 

In May 2025, NEDS launched a new Medical Student Summer Immersion Program to Advance Organ Donation and Transplant Equity. 

According to Wendy White, Ph.D., with the Jackson Heart Study Undergraduate Training Program at Tougaloo College, this summer program provides opportunities for participants to enhance their understanding of organ donation and transplantation.

The participants are mentored by experienced NEDS researchers having academic appointments at Harvard’s Medical School. The program also offers discussions with international experts about emerging innovations, ethical considerations, and transplantation inequities.

Bozeman states, “The SEED Program honors Dr. Galen V. Henderson. It’s more like what I would call a very in-depth internship, where we get to understand the relationships between organ donors and transplant recipients. We get to hear their testimonies regarding the process and outcomes. As medical students, we get to observe every aspect of the organ donor process, including actual surgeries…I got to see a surgery that began at 2:00 p.m. and ended at 3:00 a.m. The best part of the program is seeing the impact organ donations have on people’s lives.” 

Bozeman is from Terry, Mississippi. She is a presidential summa cum laude graduate of Tougaloo College. While at Tougaloo, Bozeman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and was a Jackson Heart Study Scholar, as well as the sophomore class president. 

As a medical school student, Bozeman has served as Social Media Manager for Brown University’s chapter of the Student National Medical Association. She is working toward becoming a diagnostic radiologist and/or a pathologist. She intends to use her platform to highlight the importance of organ health while advocating for greater awareness and access to life-saving care.  

To support the Galen V. Henderson MD Internship Program, visit www.plannedgiving.brown.edu. The internship is housed at Brown University.