San Francisco Woman Donates $14.2M for Medical School Scholarships

TUCSON, Ariz. — A San Francisco woman is ensuring her late husband’s and brother-in-law’s legacies endure through a monumental $14.2 million donation to the University of Arizona (UA) to establish scholarships for students aspiring to attend medical school.

Pat Gerleman’s contribution honors her late husband, James ‘Jim’ Anthony Gerleman, and his brother, John Edward Gerleman, and was announced on Friday by the University of Arizona Health Sciences. The funds will be allocated to two programs within the College of Medicine – Tucson.

‘An education from the U of A can leave an indelible mark in the lives of our students,’ UA President Suresh Garimella stated. ‘I’m thankful to Pat Gerleman for this transformative gift in honor of her late husband, Jim, and his brother, John. Their generosity will have a far-reaching impact.’

James Gerleman inherited $700,000 following John’s death. Before passing, John, a UA alumnus who valued the work of the College of Medicine, instructed Jim to utilize the funds for their nieces’ and nephews’ education and donate any remaining balance to the college.

Through astute investments in technology stocks and dividend reinvestments, James Gerleman amplified the account to $14 million prior to his death in 2023. With the education of their relatives complete, Pat is fulfilling Jim’s last wishes.

‘The gift is not a portion of a large estate. It is a sum of years of hard work and of lives without luxury,’ Pat Gerleman remarked. ‘Both Jim and John shared a dream: to make a difference in the lives of their family and in the lives of future doctors.’

Pat Gerleman’s notable bequest will fund scholarships primarily in the Pre-Medical Admissions Pathway (P-MAP) and the Honors Early Assurance Program (HEAP). The P-MAP is a rigorous 13-month program designed for students overcoming significant obstacles to gain admission to medical school.

Eligible applicants for P-MAP must be Arizona residents who have completed their bachelor’s degrees. Those who complete the program are guaranteed admission to the College of Medicine – Tucson.

The HEAP program allows exceptional undergraduates from the W.A. Franke Honors College to secure early admission to medical school while completing their medical school prerequisites during their undergraduate years.

Established in 1967, the College of Medicine – Tucson serves over 2,400 undergraduate students, making it one of the largest medical school programs in the nation. Dr. Michael M.I. Abecassis, Dean of the College of Medicine, expressed his gratitude, stating, ‘We are honored by the opportunity to pay tribute to the Gerleman legacy. This generous gift will educate and train the next generation of physicians.’

‘This transformative gift is a shining display of generosity,’ Dr. Michael Dake, senior vice president for U of A Health Sciences, said. ‘Its impact will be felt through generations as today’s medical students become tomorrow’s physicians.’

The $14.2 million donation contributes to the Fuel Wonder campaign aimed at expanding financial support for students, enhancing research capabilities across various disciplines, including cancer and engineering.

‘This generous bequest will change lives,’ stated John-Paul Roczniak, president and CEO of the University of Arizona Foundation. ‘Medical school is costly, and this gift will alleviate the financial burden for future physicians.’