As we close out 2024, I am reflecting on the many ways our faculty, staff, trainees, and community partners come together to advance the future of medicine. Across all four corners of our state, the work we do contributes to a healthier and brighter tomorrow. This December, I want to focus on the power of giving back and highlight the incredible role of philanthropy to our mission areas.
I am excited to share the extraordinary impact our donors and their generosity have made on our year and to highlight the dedication of our advancement team, led by Assistant Vice President for Development Megann Bates Cain. 2024 has been transformative for UAB Heersink School of Medicine.
This year, we received over $78.3 million in total gifts, including more than $3.4 million from alumni and $2.4 million in planned gifts. Support for medical scholarships was especially remarkable, with $5.9 million raised, establishing six new scholarships that bring our total to 161.
In addition, we created five new endowed chairs and nine new professorships, raising our cumulative total to 260—a reflection of the growing strength of our academic mission.
Among the many highlights of our year, several transformational gifts stand out. Marnix E. Heersink, M.D., added $5 million to his landmark $95 million naming gift, bringing the total to an extraordinary $100 million.
The Cassell Family generously established the Cassell Family Bi-directional Training Endowed Support Fund with a $1 million gift. Ted W. Love, M.D., and Joyce Y. Love’s $5 million contribution created the Ted W. Love, M.D., and Joyce Y. Love Endowed Support Fund for Sickle Cell Disease.
Additionally, a planned gift from James Buchanon established the Dewey Buchanon Medical Student Endowed Support Fund to honor his parents, Dewey and Evelyn Bailey Buchanon. And, the John Durr Elmore M.D. Endowed Chair in Psychiatry was established with $1.5 million from Mildred Elmore Hulsey in honor of Dr. Elmore’s legacy in psychiatry.
The Anderson Family contributed $3 million, including $2.5 million to support the Hilda B. Anderson Endowed Chair in Nephrology, while Ben and Luanne Russell generously provided $1.5 million for an endowed chair in Geriatrics.
These remarkable achievements are a testament to the dedicated generosity of our donors and their willingness to make a difference in the lives of others. We are grateful for their passion in making these milestones a reality.
Together, we are transforming lives and shaping the future of medicine. I look forward to all that we will accomplish in the year ahead.