Record Philanthropic Support Plays Crucial Role in U-M’s Medical Mission

The Department of Internal Medicine salutes the donors whose generosity has supported our medical research, education, and patient care. Their gifts continue to serve as the catalyst for discovery, learning, and healing within the University of Michigan Health System.

In 2007, a record $4.9 million in cash and pledges was given to support the work of our Department’s faculty as they conduct lifesaving research, educate the next generation of physicians and scientists, and deliver excellent patient care. Despite economic woes that have led to tightening Federal and State funding, our donors are reaching new heights in giving.

While a few of them are highlighted here, all of them are appreciated for their gifts, which enable new discoveries, inspire new physicians, and support care for our patients.

To learn more about supporting our work go to Giving Opportunities.

New Research Professorship in Liver Disease

The TUKTAWA (pronounced “tucked away”) Foundation has made a generous gift to support the new Alice Lohrman Andrews Research Professorship in Liver Disease. The TUKTAWA Foundation is a family philanthropic foundation whose trustee, Charles J. Andrews, named the fund for the family’s cottage in northern Michigan. Alice Lohrman Andrews was Mr. Andrews’ late wife, who died of liver disease in 1996. Mr. Andrews, known as Chuck, is also a Michigan alumnus, having graduated in 1960 with a degree in business. He rose successfully through the executive ranks at Ford Motor Company while Alice taught school, taking an interest in children with special needs. In later years she sold real estate in the Birmingham, Michigan area and was active as a national officer in Alice’s sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. Together they raised three children, Tracey of Denver, Colorado; Christopher of Baltimore, Maryland; and Jennifer A. Moilanen of Beverly Hills, Michigan. When Alice was struck with liver disease, they sought care from world-renowned hepatologist Anna Lok, MD, MBBS, in the U-M Division of Gastroenterology. While Alice lost her life to liver disease, the family philanthropic foundation was directed to make gifts to Dr. Lok’s research to work towards better treatments and eventually a cure. In December 2007, the Foundation decided to support Dr. Lok’s lifesaving work by establishing the new Research Professorship in Alice’s name. Although Chuck will admit a bias toward Michigan as a loyal alum, the family made this decision based on the world-class research in liver disease made possible by U-M’s highly respected division of Gastroenterology and its Hepatology group under Dr. Lok’s leadership. The Andrews family hopes this gift will pay tribute to Alice’s spirit and will inspire researchers to mitigate suffering and ultimately cure diseases of the liver.

From left to right: Dr. Owyang, Dr. Lok, Chuck Andrews, Jeff Holden, and Dr. Todd.

The Marilyn H. Vincent Professorship in Diabetes Research

Marilyn Molly and her late husband Burton J. Vincent were both graduates of the University of Michigan. In her 60s, Molly became a diabetic and found the changes to her lifestyle challenging. Following her death in March 2006, her sons Burt Jr., who also suffers from type 1 diabetes, and John, both trustees of the Molly Vincent Foundation, established the Marilyn H. Vincent Professorship in Diabetes Research. U-M, with its exceptional reputation in scientific research, provides an appropriate platform for implementing Molly’s generous gift and vision.

Martin G. Myers Jr., MD, PhD, was installed as the inaugural Marilyn H. Vincent Professor of Diabetes Research. After earning his AB summa cum laude from Princeton University, Dr. Myers began studying diabetes as an MD, PhD student at Harvard Medical School. He moved to the University of Michigan in 2004 as a Michigan Biomedical Sciences Scholar. In 2006, Dr. Myers was promoted to associate professor of Internal Medicine and Molecular and Integrative Physiology.

Above Left: Marilyn H. and Burton J. Vincent;
Above Right: John Vincent, Martin G. Myers Jr, MD, PhD, and Burton Vincent, Jr.

Mulkey Professorship Pays Tribute to U-M Training

Dorothy M. Mulkey, MD (Rheumatology Fellowship 1972), of Flushing, Michigan, has established a bequest which will create the Dorothy M. Mulkey, MD, Endowed Professorship in Rheumatology, as well as the Dorothy M. Mulkey, MD, Endowed Research Fund in Rheumatology. Dr. Mulkey, who was among the first women to train in rheumatology at Michigan, was a protégé of Giles Bole (MD 1953, Residency 1956), who at the time was Chief of Rheumatology before becoming dean of the Medical School. After a career as assistant dean at the Michigan State University Medical School and nearly 30 years in private practice, Dr. Mulkey decided to leave the bulk of her estate to Michigan where she trained. Dr. David Fox, chief of the Division of Rheumatology and president of the American College of Rheumatology believes this is the largest gift by a rheumatologist to any medical school in the country.