by Delbert Chumley, MD
BCMS President 2007
Several months ago I lost a very dear friend and colleague.
I always admired him and felt that he epitomized what is unique and special about our profession.
I have many wonderful memories about him and will always appreciate how in 1976 he went out of his way to help a “rookie” feel welcome and get his new practice off the ground.
I wasn’t special, however, because he did the same for several other young doctors who followed, besides always providing the best of care for his patients and remaining true to his friends and fellow physicians.
How do you honor someone like that? Fortunately for me, I think he knew how I felt before his death but yet most of us would like to recognize such a special person with some type of memorial. This came easy for me. What better way to honor one of our own than to help financially support the education of future healthcare professionals…a living memorial. Our BCMS Foundation provided me with the mechanism to accomplish this and I knew I had made the right choice when Paul’s wife called to thank me for my donation. She "knew" that's exactly what her late husband would have wanted.
Funny how “what goes around comes around.” Last week, a friend and fellow gastroenterologist surprised me by making a contribution to the Foundation in my name recognizing my service to our Society. Thank you, Gary, that meant a lot to me.
Organized in 1995 as the philanthropic arm of our Medical Society and Alliance, the Foundation has continued to grow and prosper under the dedicated leadership of their board and loyal volunteers. However, I was amazed to recently discover that many BCMS members weren't even aware of its existence. This certainly is through no fault of the Foundation with all its wonderful accomplishments including awarding hundreds of scholarships to deserving local high school students pursuing medical and health-related careers. It's obvious to me that their primary mission to increase these educational opportunities is not only altruistic but also economically wise.
Healthcare is our city’s leading industry and continued growth in this sector is dependent upon having a qualified workforce without which
San Antonio could lose its competitive edge in this highly lucrative market.
Last year the Foundation awarded $70,000 in scholarships to area students. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $400,000 in total scholarships and an additional $50,000 to an endowed medical student scholarship fund at UTHSCSA. I have been fortunate to have met several of these recipients and actually have followed a few of their careers.
Many could not have fulfilled their dreams or achieved their goals without financial assistance provided by such scholarships. It gave me great satisfaction to realize that our Society played a role in the education of these wonderful young men and women who someday will continue the work so many of us have devoted our lives to.
You too can get involved and help by either participating in the annual fun-filled golf tournament and helicopter ball drop on May 3 at the SilverHorn Golf Club; attending the exciting holiday gala scheduled this year for Friday, December 14 at the Westin La Cantera; or by considering a tax deductible contribution either as a memorial or a named gift. These are the only fund raising vehicles for the Foundation and represent its sole source of revenue.
So when you receive your invitation to the golf tournament or the gala, sign up. Or next time you want to honor or remember one of your colleagues or friends, think about donating to an organization that gives back to you and to our profession, the BCMS Foundation.
BCMS Foundation (210) 301-4398
