DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) -- Medical students in the Wiregrass will soon benefit from a $2.3 million donation to the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

According to a release from UAB, the donation was made by Dothan-based Ophthalmologist Marnix E. Heersink, M.D., and his wife, Mary Heersink. It will establish three endowed scholarships to support health professions, optometry, and pre-optometry students.

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved the three scholarships during its April 12 meeting, allowing them to be awarded immediately.

$1.04 million went to the School of Health Professionals to assist students who accept internships in the southeastern Alabama region.

A gift of $316,000 will benefit students from southeast Alabama enrolled in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences who have declared the UAB Pre-Optometry route, and $936,000 will provide an annual scholarship paying for half the tuition of two UAB Optometry students. The students who enroll at UAB from the Pathways Programs at Wallace State Community College, Troy University, and/or the UAB College of Arts and Sciences will be given priority.

“Mary and I have had the privilege of living in the wonderful southeastern Alabama community of Dothan for 46 years,” Heersink told UAB. “During that time, we have realized and understood that the future of health care and our area depends on training, motivating and empowering students to return to the Wiregrass to serve our area. Our goal is to provide a means, and a pathway for local students to continue their education at the next level, and then have an opportunity to become health professionals, including optometry.”