Spring 2021 27
A
gift from an anonymous alumni donor
has established the new UVA Medical
Alumni Association Scholarship
Fund, which will provide need-based
financial assistance to medical students.
In 2020, the average medical education
debt for a student graduating from the
University of Virginia School of Medicine was
$160,203. There were 100 graduates with
medical education debt, or 66% of the class.
The debt ranged from $19,000 – $292,000.
A gift of $25,000 from the donor kicked off
the fund in January and was matched by the
UVA Medical Alumni Association. The donor
has also made a $1 million estate gift through
two charitable gift annuities and a bequest.
By providing the seed money for the fund,
the alumnus hopes to lessen the burden of
debt for tomorrow's physicians. "The cost
of medical education can be really crippling
for students as they start their careers and
could cause some to reconsider a career
in medicine," the donor says. "I wanted to
do my part to help reduce their debt as an
alumnus and hope others will join me."
Barry Collins, executive director of
the UVA Medical Alumni Association and
Medical School Foundation, says that this
gift will have a significant impact for current
and future students. "We are truly grateful
to this donor for establishing this new
scholarship fund," Collins says. "The support
of alumni is critical to our mission, and this
is a great example of how they can make a
difference."
To contribute to the UVA Medical
Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, visit
UVAMedAlum.org/philanthropy.
Reducing Student Debt
"The cost of medical
education can be
really crippling for
students as they
start their careers
and could cause
some to reconsider a
career in medicine."
ANONYMOUS ALUMNI DONOR
P H I L A N T H R O P Y I N A C T I O N
