FREDERICK, MD – April 23, 2025: The Dr. J. Elmer Harp Medical Center created The Dr. J. Elmer Harp Scholarship Fund to support Middletown-area students pursuing a degree in a healthcare-related field. This becomes one of more than 818 component funds of The Community Foundation of Frederick County.
Dr. J. Elmer Harp was a well-known community physician who practiced in the Middletown area from 1926-1976. Born in the Beaver Creek area of Washington County in 1899, Dr. Harp graduated from the University of Maryland Medical School in 1923. He practiced out of his Middletown home for 30 years before moving to an office space where he saw patients for another 20 years.
After Dr. Harp passed away, the community rallied to build a medical center both to honor his life and service, as well as to attract new doctors to the community. The Dr. J. Elmer Harp Medical Center, Inc. opened in 1978 and continues to house medical practitioners today.
This scholarship fund honors Dr. Harp’s enduring legacy of compassionate care and dedication to the community. By supporting aspiring medical professionals, this scholarship fund ensures that his commitment to service lives on through the next generation of healthcare providers. The hope is that these students will not only pursue careers in medicine but also bring their skills and compassion back to the Middletown area, continuing Dr. Harp’s tradition of care for years to come.
As a leader in grant and scholarship funding, The Community Foundation of Frederick County has infused more than $102 million into the community since 1986.