Former Chair and Original Faculty Member Establish a Legacy

Terence C. Davies, M.D. and Margaret Davies, M.D. Establish Bequests

As the founding chair of the University of Michigan Department of Family Medicine, Terence C. Davies, M.D., was a true pioneer. Not only did he give direction and inspiration to a new department, he established the strong foundation of purpose and values on which the specialty and the department were built and have been sustained over the last 26 years.

When Dr. Davies accepted the position at Michigan in 1978, he was joined by his wife, Margaret Davies, M.D. Together, they made up 50% of the original faculty and helped to build and guide the fledgling department. "I felt I was fortunate to be invited, but I was even more fortunate to encounter and recruit a group of exceptional individuals who have led the department to become one of the very best in the nation," notes Davies.

Their commitment and dedication continues with two bequest gifts to the Department of Family Medicine. "Margaret and I want to ensure the continued future growth and success of the Department of Family Medicine, its faculty and its students. Therefore, we have decided to make two bequests that we hope will impact the future of the department and provide inspiration for the specialty of family medicine," states Davies.

To celebrate Margaret's contributions to the department as one of the first clinician-teachers 25 years ago, as well as her interest in the behavioral sciences field, a bequest gift will establish a permanent endowment called the Margaret Davies, M.D. Endowment Fund. This fund will support faculty members' projects and work in the behavioral sciences arena.

In addition, a bequest gift will be to be added to the Terence C. Davies, M.D. Endowment Fund that will continue to be awarded to a graduating senior or seniors for clinical and scholarly excellence in family medicine. These students shall exemplify the qualities of the outstanding family physician: dedication to patient needs, intellectual curiosity, personal integrity, community service, and leadership.

"We are honored that Terry and Margaret Davies have established a permanent legacy with the Department of Family Medicine, to support outstanding medical students pursuing careers in Family Medicine, and to support excellence in teaching. Both of these initiatives represent programs in which they have always had strong interest, and the bequests are further proof of their enduring commitment to the success of the Department," stated Thomas L. Schwenk, M.D., emeritus faculty.