Scholarship for Studying Women's Health

From the December 2008 issue of UCHC e-Link and the fall 2008 issue of UConn Momentum (PDF).

A gift from a UConn School of Medicine alumni family will support a scholarship for first-year medical students interested in women’s health issues. The anonymous $250,000 gift from the family of a recent M.D./Ph.D. graduate addresses an area of health care that the donors believe is feeling increasing strain from high costs and legal pressures, which is driving some medical students away from pursuing a field they otherwise would be interested in.

“We want to honor our daughter’s accomplishments, but through our scholarship, we also hope that we can help medical students decide to pursue a path that they might not otherwise consider,” the donors say. “If students can graduate with less debt, they may elect to follow their hearts when deciding which area of medicine to practice.”

The fact that the scholarship gift comes from an alumni family makes it particularly meaningful, says Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the School of Medicine.

“This gift is a wonderful expression of alumni support for our school and its students, and also demonstrates the important role that philanthropy plays in expanding and improving the future of academic medicine,” says Laurencin. “Our donors, particularly when they have firsthand experience of the excellence at UConn, inspire us with their vision, and we’re extremely thankful for the support we’ve received.”

Concerns about the increased costs of practicing obstetrics and gynecology are well-founded. According to the latest medical liability survey conducted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), increasing medical liability insurance premiums and the fear of lawsuits are forcing OB-GYNs to change how they practice medicine. Seventy percent of OB-GYNs have made changes to their practice because of the lack of available or affordable medical liability insurance, and 65 percent have made changes because of the risk or fear of liability claims or litigation. Between seven and eight percent have stopped practicing obstetrics altogether because of insurance affordability, availability issues or the fear of being sued.

The donors state that their gift is one part of recognizing the quality of the education that their daughter received at UConn.

“We appreciate all that UConn has done for her, and want to recognize that this is a very strong program. We shared our intentions to donate with her, and she approved heartily,” they say. “We come from a background where our families have always supported education, so it’s a natural extension of that to give. We think philanthropy that supports students is very important to the future of our country, and specifically for UConn.”

To support students at the UConn Health Center, please contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 860-679-1122.