By Carl Voelcker
FSU Communications Group
An honor graduate of FSU's Program in Medical Sciences (PIMS) is donating $100,000 to create the program's first major endowment.
Dr. David Smith and his wife, Katherine, are making the gift in memory of her mother, Janice Snowden Phillips, who was instrumental in her son-in-law's decision to pursue a medical career.
"My future mother-in-law reminded me often, from the time I was a teenager, of my dream of bringing quality healthcare to my hometown in Jay, Florida," said Smith. "While I was a student at Pensacola Junior College, working in the mailroom, I happened to see a brochure on the PIMS program at FSU, and what it was describing sounded just like me."
The PIMS Program -- designed to encourage medical students to practice primary care in rural or small communities after graduation -- was right for Smith.
Dr. Myra Hurt, director of the PIMS program, says he is the kind of person the program recruits.
"We choose future physicians yearly for our class of 30 medical students, people from small Florida towns who have great personal warmth, and who are great communicators," said Hurt. "Because of this generous gift, David and Kathy Smith will be remembered for years to come for their commitment to serving others through a lasting scholarship fund for PIMS students."
A part of FSU's $200-million capital campaign, An Investment in Learning, the endowment qualifies for state matching grants. When fully funded, the endowment will total $150,000.
"This kind of gift just makes everybody feel good," said FSU Foundation President J. Jeffrey Robison. "A very important program at Florida State, which many people don't know about, is recognized as a valuable and meaningful part of education and training by an outstanding graduate, with the establishment of an endowed scholarship fund. This, in large part, is what's so gratifying about a Capital Campaign."
The PIMS program in the College of Arts and Sciences admits a small first-year medical school class, with emphasis on general practice. The successful graduates of PIMS complete their medical education at the University of Florida.
"I am dedicated to rural primary care," said Smith. "Kathy and I are pleased to make this gift to the PIMS Program so that excellence in training rural primary-care physicians will continue at Florida State."