Giving

BUSM Giving

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Dean Karen Antman and Vonne Cupper (MED’19)

Nestled in between the lights of Fenway Park and the commotion of Kenmore Square stands the luxurious Hotel Commonwealth, the elegant venue for the annual BUSM Scholarship Dinner.

In the Fenway Foyer overlooking the city, 31 medical students gathered to meet their scholarship donors for the first time. Thanks to scholarships established and funded by generous donors each year, students who otherwise could not afford a BUSM education can pursue their dream of becoming a physician. The scholarship funds support not only their education but their intellectual, professional, and personal development as well. For BUSM, occasions like this allow students and donors to meet face-to-face at a time when scholarships are crucial. According to the Association of American Colleges, 75 percent of medical students in the class of 2018 graduated with debt; among those graduates the average debt was $196,520. Sixty-eight percent of the BUSM Class of 2019 graduated with debt; among those graduates the average debt was $221,264.

“It’s imperative that students make the most of their medical education. They shouldn’t be limited by boundaries or The Power of Giving & Gratitude

Rebecca Webb (MED’20) and BUSM Faculty Natalie Joseph, MD

From left, Dylan Kirschenbaum (MED’22), Molly Zhao (MED’23), Shamsh Shaikh (MED’22), Kevin Dao (MED’21), Eamon Khatibifar (MED’22), and Arash Safavi (MED’22)

specialties. As someone who’s been doing this for 40 years, it’s easy to think about what your school gave you and where your career is, and help those in need,” said Dr. Rod Hochman (MED’79).

As the sun set over the skyline, students and donors enjoyed dinner, drinks, and dessert in the ballroom. Each student in attendance introduced themselves and related which specialty they plan to go into, ranging from child neurology to emergency medicine. Two sentiments radiated throughout: honor and gratitude. Dean Karen Antman, MD, introduced Nirisha Commodore (MED’22) and Rebecca Webb (MED’20), both of whom shared personal stories and spoke of how their scholarships were critical components to attending medical school. “It is no secret that the cost of medical school can have major implications on the careers that physicians ultimately choose. Although many begin training focused on serving their communities, the reality of debt can seem insurmountable. Your investment has helped to lighten this burden and started a path to continue paying it forward,” Ms. Commodore told the audience.

“As a future pediatrician putting myself through medical school, I cannot express the magnitude of difference your donations make in funding my education. On behalf of the students at BUSM, I thank you so very much for your incredibly generous gifts of the past and (hopefully) of the future,” Ms. Webb said. n

From left, Cecile Keith Brown, Ogechukwu Nwanegwo (MED’20), and Camara Brown

Molly Zhao (MED’23) and Charles Tifft (MED’73)

Campaign Impact: The Campaign for BU and the School of Medicine

The Campaign for Boston University, which ended September 21, 2019, was a monumental effort with a spectacular result: $1.85 billion raised for financial aid, research, student life, facilities, and much more. More than 175,000 people donated to the campaign, which was launched to support financial aid, faculty and research, and facility improvements.

The results have transformed the Medical Campus, and include the establishment of 43 new endowed scholarships and 17 professorships; new buildings, such as the Medical Student Residence; renovated space, such as the A-4 Medical Student Center, 13th floor library study space, Hiebert Student Lounge, and Godley Digital Media Studio; support for research centers, among them the Shamim and Ashraf Dahod Breast Cancer Research Center, the Shipley Prostate Cancer Research Center, and the Spivack Center for Clinical and Translational Neuroscience.

Thanks to the generous support from alumni, parents, and friends, the School of Medicine far surpassed our initial goal of $200M. As of the end of the campaign, we raised a total of $353.4M.

Your support makes a significant and direct impact on the success of those who learn and work here. On behalf of the entire BUSM community, thank you! n

Impact by the Numbers

$306M PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED

$47.4M CURRENT USE

$353.4M CAMPAIGN TOTAL MORE THAN $34M RAISED FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

MORE THAN $5.4M IN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE ANNUAL FUND SUPPORT

2,870 ALUMNI PARTICIPATED IN THE CAMPAIGN

MORE THAN $197M RAISED FROM CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS