Fund Raising Initiatives in Progress
Currently there are five endowment campaigns and four annual giving programs in progress atn the School of Medicine. Following is an update on each of these initiatives.
Over $450,000 of the $1 million goal has been pledged to The Alexander J. Walt, MD, ChB, Endowed Chair in Surgery. The gifts are comprised of pledges from WSU surgical alumni, members of the University and metro-Detroit area communities and Dr. Walt’s many friends and colleagues across the country. The purpose of this chair is to provide for an outstanding surgeon-educator at WSU to help fulfill Dr. Walt’s vision and carry on his legacy. Contact the director of development and alumni affairs, Priscilla Khoury, to arrange for a contribution or for more information on the endowment.
Pledges to the Kamran S. Moghissi, MD, Endowed Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility total $854,000, toward a $1.5 million goal. This endowed chair is a tribute to Dr. Moghissi’s vision, leadership and outstanding contributions to the University, the DMC, and the lives of those families he has enhanced through his pioneering work. Development officer Gayle Dickerson should be contacted to arrange for a pledge or contribution to this endowment.
With $1.2 million raised toward the $1.5 million goal, the David Barsky, MD, Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology will be the first endowed chair in the department of ophthalmology. Specializing in ocular pathology, Dr. Barsky has touched the lives of thousands of patients, students and colleagues throughout his exemplary career as an educator, clinician and author. To contribute to the Barsky Chair, contact development officer Daniel Turse.
The Arab and Chaldean American Physicians and Medical Students Fund Committee, in cooperation with the School of Medicine, have established The ibn Sina Endowed Scholarship Fund to celebrate their role in medicine and recognize the achievements of today’s Arab and Chaldean American physicians and scholars. A special event will be held Saturday, May 16 and Priscilla Khoury should be contacted for further information.
The Charlotte Bush Failing Endowed Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Prenatal Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy has reached $1.3 million of the $1.5 million goal. The chair recognizes Mrs. Failing’s involvement with and commitment to Hutzel Hospital and the University, which was critical to the evolution of The Detroit Medical Center’s emergence as a premier research center in the country. Development officer Gayle Dickerson can arrange for contributions to this endowment or provide further information.
Also in progress are annual giving programs for the Charles F. Whitten, MD, Post Baccalaureate Endowment Fund, and initiatives in diabetes, otolaryngology and arthritis research to improve diagnosis, treatment and cure. Development officer Ginger Hrtanek can provide details and information on these endeavors.
To learn more about the School’s endowment campaigns and annual giving programs and to arrange for contributions, call (313) 577.1495.
Brasza Gift to Advance Research
The Family of Henry L. Brasza has generously bestowed a $5 million gift to Wayne State University School of Medicine, The Detroit Medical Center, Harper Hospital and the Karmanos Cancer Institute. The gift has been designated in support of renovation to Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, oncology research in the department of obstetrics/gynecology, research laboratories in the department of urology, and diabetes research in the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics.
The gift also will provide for endowments honoring assistant professor of family medicine, Dr. Hassan Amirikia, chairman of the department of urology Dr. J. Edson Pontes, and director of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics Dr. George Grunberger.
Congrats, and Welcome Back!
Lisa Ramos has returned to her position as senior office service clerk in alumni affairs following a maternity leave during which she and husband, Anthony, welcomed the birth of their second son, Austin.