TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Former Appalachian State University wrestler Acton Pifer has been chosen for the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program at Florida State University. Pifer is in just his second year in FSU's College of Medicine.

The National Health Service Corps Scholarship program is meant to provide scholarships to students pursuing training in primary-care health profession and, in return, the selected students agree to serve in one of the NHSC's health professional shortage areas for each year of scholarship awarded. The scholarship will pay for tuition and various other education-related expenses and also provides a monthly stipend to assist with living expenses.

Pifer is the FSU College of Medicine's seventh student to be selected for the scholarship.

“The biggest thing I want people to know is how grateful I am to everyone who has helped me throughout my life,” Pifer said. “From my family, especially my dad; lifelong friends; classmates; wrestling coaches; teammates; teachers and mentors — there are just so many people to thank. No one gets where they are or becomes who they are alone. Since I began pursuing a life in medicine, I have said that I want to help those who need it most. This scholarship guarantees that I will have the opportunity to go where that can become a reality.”

Pifer graduated summa cum laude from Appalachian State in 2014 with a Bachelor's in chemistry while minoring in biology and Spanish. As a four-year letterman for Mountaineer wrestling, the 141-pounder finished with 16 collegiate wins and earned All-American honors at University Nationals in Akron, Ohio in 2013. 

While at Appalachian, the Marietta, Ga.-native also participated in undergraduate research and served as a member of Appalachian's student conduct board.