Leading with Gratitude: Philanthropy from Alumni Benefits the Next Generation of MCW Healthcare Professionals

“…as I continue to diligently pursue my dream of becoming a doctor – a dream I have had since I was a child – I promise that I will continue to work earnestly and to be diligent, so that when my time comes to work in my own realm of practice, I will be worthy of the profession and the lofty standards to which it is upheld…”

MCW medical student Jesse VanWart, Class of 2027, (pictured left), in a letter thanking members of the MCW Medical School 50-year Class of 1975 for supporting student scholarship award

In the academic year that ended June 30, 2024, 180 student scholarship funds established at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) generated more than $3 million in awards. About 131 of those funds (the vast majority) are supported through gifts and pledges from MCW alumni.

In fact, contributions from alumni of MCW have grown significantly over the years – and now represents the largest single source of philanthropy for scholarship funds among all donors supporting student financial aid programs.

“This impressive achievement is made possible by the generosity of thousands of our alumni families,” says John R. Raymond, Sr., MD, MCW president and CEO. “Their generosity is having a direct impact on the future of healthcare in Wisconsin and around the country, for which we are very grateful.”

Current contributions have kept pace with donations that MCW alumni have made in past years. Total gifts and pledges supporting scholarship awards from alumni in the 2024 academic year totaled $1.6 million. More than $10.4 million has been contributed over the last five years.

“Alumni truly understand the journey that each student takes to earn their place as a physician, pharmacist, scientist and healthcare professional,” adds 20 Dr. Raymond. “In turn, recipients of these scholarship awards experience firsthand the collegiality and loyalty of their fellow alumni – many of whom they will be joining as they care for patients and make new medical discoveries.”

Scholarship Support is Crucial for Student Recruiting

Deborah M. Costakos, MD ’98, MS, interim dean of the MCW School of Medicine and former MCW department chair and professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences, agrees with Dr. Raymond’s sentiments.

“As an MCW alumna, and with an educational financial debt of my own when I graduated medical school, I truly understand how much our students appreciate the support they receive from scholarships awards, and particularly from our alumni,” Dr. Costakos says.

A healthy scholarship program is also critical to MCW’s efforts to recruit students to MCW’s Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy and Graduate Studies.

“The availability of scholarship awards is an important part of our student recruitment strategy,” notes Dr. Costakos. “Many of our applicants are considering offers from other institutions, and a pool of scholarship awards that help defray tuition expenses can absolutely determine where they eventually will choose to enroll.”

Alumni often make gifts to the class funds established to recognize their respective graduation years. Additionally, some alumni choose to set up their own named funds or bolster funds that encourage students to consider service in a particular area of medicine or to work with certain populations of patients.

Alumni Giving is Personal

For many alumni, the decision to give is personal and reflects a passion for the students undergoing an educational journey reminiscent of their own.

That journey is what inspired Marlene D. Melzer-Lange, MD ’75, GME ’78 and her husband, George M. Lange, MD ’75, (pictured right), to support several scholarship funds at MCW, including a fund that support students in the Health Equity Scholars Program (HESP) – an innovative program aimed to increase the number of physicians who practice in Milwaukee and care for the city’s at-risk populations. (See story on page 9 of the Fall/Annual Report 2024 issue of MCW Magazine for more information on the HESP.)

Both Dr. Lange and Dr. Melzer-Lange grew up in Milwaukee and attended Milwaukee Public Schools before going on to Marquette University for their undergraduate degrees, and to the Medical College of Wisconsin for their medical degrees.

Dr. Lange worked for many years in Milwaukee as an internist and geriatric physician. Dr. Melzer-Lange is an MCW professor of pediatric and serves as a pediatric emergency room specialist at Children’s Wisconsin, located on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus.

Their experiences growing up and working as doctors in Milwaukee amplified the importance of preserving access to care for residents living in underserved communities, both in the city and around the state. While the HESP addresses the shortage of physicians serving underresourced neighborhoods in Milwaukee, underserved communities exist in urban and rural communities throughout the state.

Dr. Melzer-Lange points out that physicians choosing to work in underserved communities are often earning less than their equally skilled counterparts working in other areas or for large health systems.

“We know that all doctors are not paid the same amount, and it’s those doctors who particularly are most in need right now, such as primary care physicians or psychiatrists,” says Dr. Melzer-Lange, noting her own experience working in clinics in Milwaukee’s central city during the early years of her career.

“That’s an important reason that George and I have for supporting students in the Health Equity Scholars Program,” Dr. Melzer-Lange continues. “The fact of the matter is that whether you live in the city, the suburbs or a rural area, everyone needs a primary care doctor. We wanted to support students at MCW who have an interest in working in underserved areas so they won’t have such a big loan and can have a choice about where they choose to practice.”

"And, as Milwaukeeans, we feel that there should be a sufficient number of high-quality doctors to serve the people in our city,” Dr. Lange adds.

Dr. Melzer-Lange and Dr. Lange are celebrating their 50th medical school class reunion in 2025, and both are hoping that their fellow classmates and everyone sharing a reunion in 2025 – including graduates of the School of Pharmacy and Graduate Studies – will consider making a gift that supports student scholarship awards.

“We certainly hope that other MCW graduates would make their own contributions,” says Dr. Lange, “and consider providing support for scholarship awards.”

Making Connections

Anthony J. Perez, MSEd, executive director of the MCW/Marquette Alumni Association, notes that there are numerous ways for alumni to connect with currently enrolled students at MCW.

“With the cost of healthcare education being what it is, scholarships play a pivotal role in ensuring that talented students are supported as they pursue their respective degrees,” says Perez. “Our annual reunion weekend is one of the best ways that former MCW students can reconnect and rally around contributing to the next generation of healthcare professionals.”

“Those connections have a way of building camaraderie that leads to even more opportunities to give back,” adds Perez. “Alumni play a significant role in our mentorship programs, teach at all of our campus locations and help carry forward MCW’s legacy as a leader in health education.”

– Michael J. Mathias

By the Numbers...

• More than 20,000 extent alumni from MCW’s Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy and Graduate Studies
• 131 endowed and current use scholarship funds supported by MCW alumni who support all three MCW schools
• Alumni contributions to scholarships in the past five years total $10.4 million

“As I progress through my medical training, I am constantly reminded of the responsibility that comes with this privilege, and I am determined to honor your generosity by striving for excellence in every aspect of my education and future practice. The opportunity to pursue a medical education is a privilege that I do not take lightly. I am committed to using my knowledge and skills to serve those in need, particularly in underserved communities like the one I grew up in.”

MCW medical student Zeina Nader, Class of 2026, (pictured left), recipient of a scholarship award from the MCW Medical School Class of 1979