UAMS Honors Estate Donors at Downtown Little Rock Luncheon

A quiet conflict exists between the finite nature of a life estate and the perpetual demands of a medical center. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences addressed this tension at a recent luncheon at the Capital Hotel in downtown Little Rock, gathering members of the 1879 Society to discuss the long-term impact of bequests on the institution's operations.

The 1879 Society, established to honor donors who have committed assets from their estates to UAMS, has secured over $100 million in realized bequests since the university's founding. An additional $65 million is currently committed by living members. The total funding supports endowed chairs, professorships, student scholarships, and medical research programs across the state.

John Erck, vice chancellor for the Division of Institutional Advancement, framed the gathering as a recognition of investment in regional health. "It is my honor to celebrate your commitment to UAMS, recognizing your investment in our work, and your legacy that will continue to impact and advance healthcare in our state," Erck said. He stated that the goal is to make Arkansas the healthiest state in the region for current and future generations.

The history of these planned gifts dates back to 1892, when Isaac Folsom, M.D., bequeathed $20,000 to construct a clinic for medical students to treat needy patients. Folsom's contribution is still acknowledged on the diploma of every College of Medicine graduate. Since that initial gift, hundreds of individuals have added to the fund, creating a stable financial base for the university's mission.

Tim Dockery, J.D., associate vice chancellor for development, outlined the tangible results of these funds. "Through the 1879 Society, many endowed chairs and professorships have been funded, thousands of students have received scholarships, and many dollars have been translated into transformative medical research," Dockery said. He noted that this support has inspired further philanthropic commitments from the society's members.

Attendees included beneficiaries of the bequests, such as Kenneth Alderson, a recipient of the R. Louise Stout Simmons Endowed Chancellor’s Scholarship. Also present were Susan Emmett, M.D., MPH, the inaugural holder of the Thomas McGill Chair in Otolaryngology, and Elizabeth Riley, DNP, APRN, the inaugural holder of the Carol Silverstrom Professorship in Nursing. Their presence illustrated the direct link between estate planning and academic appointments.

Emmett, who also serves as founding director of the UAMS Center for Hearing Health Access, described the gifts as a springboard for innovation. "At their core, estate gifts are about legacy, creating opportunities to make the world a better place," Emmett said. She explained that philanthropy allows her center to develop new care models for rural communities.

Riley, an associate professor and director of the College of Nursing Master of Nursing Science Program, highlighted the personal impact of scholarship support. "Scholarship support did more than pay my tuition, it opened a door I wasn’t sure was meant for me and showed me that people who had never met me believed in my future," Riley said. Dockery encouraged guests to share their stories with family and friends to inspire future planned giving.