When people think of the future of medicine, they look to the students of Penn’s Perelman School: brilliant, driven, dedicated to solving the world’s greatest medical challenges.
And more than ever before, Medical Alumni Weekend – featuring the School’s 250th celebration gala – was about supporting and celebrating those talented young minds. Recalling the School’s storied past constantly inspired a commitment to ensure its bright future . . . setting the stage for another 250 years of medical excellence.
City of Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter
Scholarships were in the spotlight – both at Medical Alumni Weekend and taking center stage at the Perelman School of Medicine’s 250th celebration gala.
MAW 2015 kicked off with an evening reception celebrating the medical careers – and life-long friendships – that scholarship giving makes possible.
“When the Perelman School of Medicine was founded 250 years ago, students were required to pay for tickets to a series of medical lectures,” explained Dean Larry Jameson. “So our first medical scholarships, created in 1821, consisted of professors donating those lecture tickets.”
With medical school debt now topping $180,000, the collective power of alumni support has become more important than ever.
As Dean Jameson told guests, “These funds have greater impact than you can imagine: They inspire our young physicians to ‘pay it forward,’ perpetuating the cycle of philanthropy.”
That is exactly what Anne and Walter Gamble, M.D. ’57, hoped for when they publicly acknowledged having established the 21st Century Scholars Program – that fellow alumni and friends of Penn Medicine shared in their dream of a tuition-free Penn medical education.
“We’ve always treasured our friendships with our students,” said Anne. “It’s a privilege to see them in their white coats or receiving their medical degrees at graduation, and we believe their stories are the most compelling proof of the importance of scholarships.”
After more than 20 years of giving, with more than 220 Gamble Scholars supported with $65 million, the Gambles’ generosity has been extraordinary. The Perelman School of Medicine bestowed its highest honor, the Dean’s Medal, to the remarkable couple during the spectacular 250th gala at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
“This award represents more than Penn Medicine’s deepest appreciation for all Anne and Walter have done for our students,” said Dean Jameson. “This medal also represents the love and gratitude from their wonderful extended family of students, as well as the countless patients and their families who will be forever impacted by their kindness.”
Penn President Amy Gutmann with Raymond Perelman
One of the very special moments of Medical Alumni Weekend 2015 was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to the late Henry A. Jordan, M.D. ’62 – accepted by his wife, Barrie – and the opening of the Medical Education Center that bears his name.
Hundreds of guests were able to see, firsthand, the new face of medical education at the Perelman School, more than a decade in planning and realization. They also fondly remembered one of the School’s most beloved alumni, Dr. Henry Jordan. Henry’s children and grandchildren shared in the festivities and surprised Barrie with the dedication of the Frog Hollow Lounge – named after the Jordan family farm.
Jordan Scholar Tarik Asmerom, G.E.D. ’07, M.D ’15, was enthusiastic about the new opportunities the Jordan Center has already made possible. “Simply by having gathering spaces just outside our classrooms, I’ve seen and talked more with my classmates in the past few months than I have in all my previous years of medical school. The Jordan Medical Education Center is such a wonderful gift to us.”
The celebratory luncheon included mini ribbon-cuttings for the many generously named spaces throughout the Center, and guests were also able to visit the Joseph and Loretta Law Auditorium and Law Pavilion.
You can make a virtual visit to the Jordan Center on YouTube at https://youtu.be/KILnGqcX5vE.
When the Stars Came Out for the Perelman School's 250th
The Perelman School of Medicine was the proud host of a once-in-a-lifetime event at the Philadelphia Museum of Art – the focal point of so many of Philadelphia’s landmark celebrations.
More than 1,200 guests enjoyed a lovely evening featuring Penn alumna and emcee Andrea Mitchell, the chief foreign affairs correspondent for NBC News, and musical entertainment from the multi-talented Harry Connick Jr. Fireworks lit up the sky over the largest tent ever erected on the famous steps.
The focus of the evening was always toward the future: of the Perelman School of Medicine, its students, and the health of the nation. Proceeds from the gala are supporting medical scholarships.
