Medical education endowments at Gundersen reach goal

Exceptional medical education and research are what distinguishes Gundersen Healthy System as a regional academic medical center and not just another community hospital.

Medical education at Gundersen receives substantial support through Gundersen Medical Foundation. The Foundation's Endowing Our Excellence is a multi-million dollar cooperative campaign to permanently fund five principle directorships for the Transitional, Internal Medicine, General Surgery and Family Medicine Residency programs, and the Overholt Chair of Medical Education. By endowing these programs Gundersen is ensuring that the outstanding training of young physicians—in critical areas of healthcare—will continue at Gundersen for generations to come.

Two of the programs are now fully funded. These are:

• The James Webster, MD, and Lucian Griffith, MD, Director of Transitional Year Residency – Major benefactors Dr. Stephen and Katie Webster established this endowed directorship to honor their fathers' dedication to teaching.
• The Edward Winga, MD, Director of Internal Medicine Residency – Major benefactors Dr. Edward and Sharon Winga established this endowed directorship to secure the future of the program for years to come.

The Gundersen Medical Foundation Board pledged to match the money raised with unrestricted reserves to these endowments. So with both the Winga and Webster families contributing significantly toward the $1 million goal, along with the Board's matching funds, each endowment has reached the $2 million mark.

With income from these endowments, the Foundation's Medical Education Office will receive funding each year to provide educational opportunities. This investment in medical education is also addressing the shortages of medical professionals in key areas of healthcare, such as primary care.

For more information, or to contribute to any of the Foundation's Endowing Our Excellence medical education funds, please contact Robyn Tanke, CFRE, senior director of Development, Gundersen Medical Foundation, at [email protected] or call (608) 775-6000.