School of Medicine launches Educational Fund

”The lifeblood of an educational institution is its alumni. No one can as effectively or as validly affirm the growth and development of the School of Medicine as can her alumni. I believe each graduate of the School of Medicine owes a significant, indeed an un-repayable, debt of gratitude to their School of Medicine. The repayment of the debt with time and money can begin small but it will grow. Acknowledging that debt and beginning its repayment is the nature of ‘going home’ and ‘giving back.“ – James L. Holly, M.D., School of Medicine class of 1973 President, Alumni Association

This year the alumni of the School of Medicine have embraced a new challenge focused on a singular objective – transforming the educational experience for students. Over the next five years, they have pledged to raise $1.2 million that will support:

1. Creation of a new 1,500-square-foot lounge dedicated for student and alumni activities such as group-study sessions, club meetings, recreation and student-alumni receptions.
   
   
2. Increased opportunities for students to participate in summer research projects, structured community service programs and medical outreach trips throughout Texas and abroad.
   
   
3. Academic programs and capital projects that directly impact students’ education, such as expanded tutoring services and enhancements to the H-E-B Clinical Skills Center.

Glenn A. Halff, M.D., interim dean of the School of Medicine, believes the institution and its alumni can enjoy unlimited benefits through close, continuous collaboration.

“With approximately 9,000 alumni of our M.D., residency and fellowship programs practicing medicine throughout the world, it makes sense for the School of Medicine to partner with the people who truly make lives better in health care – the alumni whose work, day in and day out, determines our worth as an institution of higher learning,” Dr. Halff said.

The School of Medicine Alumni Association Board has committed more than $33,000 from its alumni endowment to help fund the student lounge. Thirty-two alumni and friends have already made pledges totaling more than $112,000. James L. Holly, M.D., a 1973 alumnus of the School of Medicine and president of the Alumni Association, has set the pace with a $25,000 gift. To make a gift online to the School of Medicine Alumni Educational Fund, visit http://som.uthscsa.edu/Alumni/giving.asp.

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For more information, contact David Perryman, director of School of Medicine Alumni Relations, at (210) 567-4400 or by e-mail at perrymand@uthscsa.edu.