Generosity in a Time of Adversity

in a Time of Adversity

Throughout the year 2020 and across the nation, churches have stopped meeting, school has been cancelled, and many businesses have implemented modified operating conditions or have closed completely. These transformational events, in some form, have lingered into the new year. Although everyone hopes to do his or her part to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Americans are unaccustomed to being confined and restricted. Yet, in the gloom of loss and limitation, generosity ushers in the light that all so desperately seek.

Indeed, generosity has blossomed in the times of social distancing, causing many people to open their hearts and to close the distance through gratitude, joy, and through giving back.

The purposeful mission of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) continues to be delivered even during these times of challenge and restriction. The students and the successful futures of LECOM scholars never has slipped from view of a prescient and visionary administration focused keenly upon financial stewardship during this critical period.

As the pervasiveness of the COVID-19 Pandemic transformed almost every aspect of life, an increased awareness upon the significant roles that medical professionals have in society has taken root in the forefront of the collective consciousness. Perhaps, unlike any time prior since the World Wars, the importance of a highly-trained, superbly skilled, healthcare force - one prepared to address the vicissitudes of public health crises - has been highlighted unabashedly.

Despite a global economic downturn and widespread financial concerns, generous donors stood strong in 2020, successfully raising $1.5 million for the LECOM Student Scholarship Fund. Those resources will assist aspiring osteopathic physicians, pharmacists, and dentists studying at LECOM across its four campuses in Erie and Greensburg, Pennsylvania, in Bradenton, Florida, and in Elmira, New York.

“The COVID-19 Pandemic has highlighted that which those of us in the medical community have always known: that healthcare workers are an integral component of a functioning society,” explained John M. Ferretti, D.O., President and CEO of LECOM. “The generosity shown to LECOM this year demonstrates the significance and value that others place upon ensuring that the healthcare system of our nation is buoyed by medical professionals who have received the best possible education and training, so that they are fully prepared to meet future challenges as they arise,” underscored the LECOM President.

The annual LECOM fundraising events include undertakings held at its campuses and throughout the surrounding communities. The dual LECOM Student Scholarship Auctions form the seminal fundraising event - held each autumn in Erie and Bradenton.

Those in-person events, curtailed by the fallout of the pandemic, found LECOM adapting to rely upon individual and corporate contributions as well as upon virtual events to bolster the Student Scholarship Fund. Newly envisioned activities included virtual 5Ks, club raffles, as well as the annual Scholarship Golf Classic event.

The largest fundraiser in 2020 was that of Erie Gives - the single-day philanthropic campaign organized by the Erie Community Foundation. The College received $165,652 in donations, more than double the greatest sum that the institution had previously received. “LECOM is grateful to the individuals and businesses that contributed to the 2020 LECOM Student Scholarship Fund Drive,” noted Monsignor David Rubino, LECOM Vice President of External Affairs and Coordinator of the 2020 Fund Drive. “The last year has been a period of financial stress for many, so to have received such a tremendous showing of support has been truly inspiring.”

LECOM consistently maintains one of the lowest tuitions among private medical schools in the United States. Despite this fact, many students graduate with a considerable amount of debt. LECOM leadership established the Student Scholarship Fund to assist future physicians, pharmacists, and dentists in easing the financial burden of their medical education. Each year, the LECOM Student Scholarship Fund provides over $4 million to deserving students across the four LECOM campuses. Since 1994, LECOM has awarded more than $40 million in scholarships to deserving scholars, including $20 million in scholarships throughout the last five years alone.

Without doubt, the events of 2020 presented conditions under which people have been guided by their better angels, offering positive outreach after experiencing highly stressful and adverse events. These positive changes relate to the development of important qualities of character, such as compassion, generosity, and purpose. Thus, the COVID-19 adversity may have provided unique opportunities for the development of important wisdoms.

Through the dark days of a pandemic that seemed to envelop an unwitting people was found a resilience of heart, a depth of compassion, and a sense of unity that parted the shadows and revealed the true nature of the human spirit.