Vath Family Endowed Scholarship
EST. 2018
Please address your letter to:
Dr. and Mrs. Vath
Dr. Raymond E. Vath was born in Butte, Montana and raised in Great Falls. In spite of limited funds, the Vath family helped neighbors and supported their church. Dr. Vath graduated from the College of Great Falls in three years with honors and entered the US Air Force. He was educated as a meteorologist at the University of Washington, subsequently serving nine years, three of which in Europe. He left the Air Force to enter medical school at the University of Washington and wrote his doctoral dissertation on the effect of military service on the rates of alcoholism in the general populations. He interned in the Army at Madigan General Hospital and returned to the University of Washington School of Medicine for his residency in psychiatry.
After residency, Dr. Vath, along with two other physicians, started the MEDEX Program at the UW School of Medicine, creating a whole new group of medical providers. He developed a successful treatment for anorexia nervosa and published a book, Counseling Those with Eating Disorders. In 1980, he co-founded Mercy Corps, an international relief and development organization that has raised over two billion dollars and served in over 100 countries, primarily helping refugees of war and natural disasters. Using his training in community psychiatry, the program empowers individuals to care for themselves by working together in collaborative efforts. Dr. Vath has served as vice chairman since its inception and as chairman of the board for nearly eight years, stimulating the period of greatest growth. His first missionary work was with Youth With a Mission, a program that also developed Mercy Ships International. It was through relationships established there that Mercy Corps was begun.
Dr. Vath has served as a clinical faculty member in psychiatry since 1969 and is currently an emeritus associate professor. He has served on the UW School of Medicine Alumni Board for 15 years, including a term as president. Dr. Vath proposed that each graduating class sponsor one medical school scholarship, and 20% of the classes have already done so. He is also on the UW School of Medicine Scholarship Committee and serves as the liaison between the Committee and the UW School of Medicine Alumni Board.
