There is a physician shortage in many communities across the five-state WWAMI region (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho). While many extraordinary people have the potential to become medical leaders in these communities, medical school is often financially out of reach. Two legacy gifts to the University of Washington School of Medicine scholarship endowment from Lloyd and Donna Hostetler and Margaret Gaub, MD ’60, aim to reduce this financial barrier.

These gifts, totaling more than $8.5 million, will reduce the financial barriers to attending the UW School of Medicine and, without a large debt burden, enable these newly graduated doctors to choose careers in primary care or family medicine, care for underserved populations or practice in rural communities.

The School is unique in the country for preparing students for careers in family medicine, primary care and rural medicine, with nearly half of graduates going into primary care residencies, compared to 30% of medical students nationwide.

“These generous gifts from University of Washington alumni will significantly reduce the financial burden of attending medical school, allowing future students to focus on their education and passion for serving others,” says Timothy H. Dellit, MD, dean of the School.

With these gifts from the Hostetlers and Margaret Gaub, the UW School of Medicine’s scholarship endowment now totals over $154 million, and over $6.5 million is awarded to medical students annually.

A meaningful legacy

While Lloyd and Donna Hostetler and Margaret Gaub came to their decision to leave bequests for different reasons, they shared the same goal: to support students who would go on to serve their communities.

The Hostetlers, who met at a UW Greek mixer, both earned their bachelor’s degrees from the University of Washington. They chose to make a lasting impact by directing their $7.4 million bequest toward MD scholarships for students committed to practicing family medicine. They believed that giving most of their estate to a single cause would maximize its impact.

As one of only three women in the UW School of Medicine Class of 1960, Gaub was a trailblazing physician who understood the life-changing power of education. She designated $1.1 million of her estate to establish the Margaret L. Gaub, MD, Scholarship Fund to support medical students.

As members of the Henry Suzzallo Society, a fellowship of donors who have committed to future gifts for the University of Washington, the Hostetlers and Gaub understood that estate giving, especially to scholarships and educational endowments, is a powerful way to create lasting change and leave a meaningful legacy.

Together, these gifts will have a profound impact on the UW School of Medicine’s students, allowing them to pursue their dreams without finances being a concern.

Written by Patsy Cadwell