From Patient to Student to Inspiration

Born in 1973 with severe hemophilia, Andy Stolper had every reason to give up on life. He experienced bleeding complications and other health challenges in his formative years, including a rare form of lymphoma. Despite a devastating prognosis, he fought and survived two major surgeries, chemotherapy, and paralysis of his lower extremities.

“I’ll never forget Andy’s joy when he received that letter admitting him into the physician assistant’s Class of 1997,” says his mother, Judy Stolper. “Andy worked hard. He lived as fully as possible while navigating a difficult medical journey.”

Andy died in 1996, just 10 days shy of his 23rd birthday. “We hope this endowed scholarship continues to provide support and the opportunity for others to learn about Andy’s values and resiliency,” Judy says.

The UW–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health has presented the Andy Stolper Memorial Scholarship Award to students in its Physician Assistant program annually since 1997. This generous fund has benefited more than 30 students who share some of Andy’s attributes, including persistence in pursuing goals, commitment to community service, and an ability to overcome obstacles.

Dylan Hogan ’22, MPASx’25 is the most recent recipient. He, too, experienced an array of health issues during his childhood, which led to years of procedures and tests, eventually culminating in the diagnosis of a rare neuromuscular disorder.

“Andy’s resilience inspires me, and I’m deeply honored,” Hogan says. “During my clinical rotations, I try to exemplify the traits that Andy displayed and keep perspective on how fortunate I am to do this work.”