Nathan Smith Davis Recognition Program— Enhancing the Recognition of Medical School Supporters
Nathan Smith Davis, MD, relished new ideas and change for the better, especially when it came to supporting the advancement of medical education. His passion for reforming physician training led him to found and serve as dean of what would become Northwestern University Medical School in 1859. His desire to uphold his profession’s standards resulted in his establishment of the American Medical Association and his tenure as its first president and editor of JAMA. Now it’s fitting that a newly launched recognition program that acknowledges strong financial support and volunteerism from a wide range of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine supporters bears this pioneer’s name.
Beginning in September, the new, more comprehensive Nathan Smith Davis Recognition Program enhances and expands upon the longstanding Nathan Smith Davis Club. Six categories have been created to broaden the medical school’s appreciation of individuals beyond alumni and faculty to now include staff and friends. The program acknowledges not only monetary gifts but also volunteer service to the Feinberg School. Northwestern’s program is one of a few in the country that encourages alumni engagement in the life of a medical school through volunteer activities. Another new feature, a Young Alumni Circle, emphasizes the contributions of recent graduates just starting their professional medical careers. Bruce F. Scharschmidt, MD ’70, will continue as president of the Nathan Smith Davis Recognition Program.
The Nathan Smith Davis Recognition Program honors six very special groups of medical school supporters:
Nathan Smith Davis-Northwestern University Leadership Circle (NSD-NULC): Recognizes individuals who make a gift of $1,000 or more in the fiscal year of the University.
Young Alumni Circle: Recognizes alumni in the first 10 years since completing their degree/program who make a gift of $300 or more during the University’s fiscal year.
Service Circle: Recognizes individuals who are significantly engaged in the medical school through participation in alumni volunteer activities such as class giving efforts, advisory and editorial boards, and other activities.
Lifetime Giving Society: Recognizes alumni, faculty, and staff whose lifetime cumulative giving is between $35,000 and $999,999.
Lifetime Benefactors Society: Recognizes individuals whose lifetime cumulative giving is $1 million or more.
Northwestern University Henry and Emma Rogers Society (HERS): Recognizes individuals who have notified Northwestern of an estate or deferred gift commitment to benefit the medical school.
The Nathan Smith Davis Recognition Program runs on the University’s fiscal year (September 1 through August 31). It is effective since September 1, 2010 (retroactive). Participants in the Nathan Smith Davis Recognition Program will be acknowledged in an annual online report.
For more information, please contact Rita Kisielius, senior associate director of donor engagement and stewardship, at 312-503-3459 or r-kisielius@northwestern.edu.
