Dr. Ruth L. Gottesman honours her late husband’s memory by ensuring free tuition for students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
In a heartwarming act of philanthropy, 93-year-old widow Dr. Ruth L. Gottesman has donated an astounding $1 billion to Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, ensuring free tuition for students in perpetuity. This monumental gift, left by her late husband, David Gottesman, a Wall Street financier and early investor in Berkshire Hathaway, marks the largest donation ever made to a medical school in the United States.
Dr. Gottesman, a former director of psychoeducational services and a clinical professor emerita of paediatrics at the college, has chosen to invest in the future of medical education in New York’s poorest borough. The donation will immediately benefit current fourth-year students by reimbursing their spring 2024 semester tuition, while incoming students from fall 2024 onwards will enjoy free tuition, which currently exceeds $59,000 annually.
The impact of this generous gift extends beyond financial relief for students. It opens the doors of opportunity for aspiring medical professionals whose economic circumstances might have otherwise deterred them from pursuing a career in medicine. Dr. Gottesman’s vision is to attract a diverse group of students committed to serving their communities and advancing the field of medicine.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, with its 1,070 students and 239 research fellows, is poised to become a beacon of hope and excellence in medical education, thanks to Dr. Gottesman’s transformative donation. Dr. Yaron Tomer, the Marilyn and Stanley Katz Dean at the college, expressed his gratitude, stating that the donation “radically revolutionizes our ability to continue attracting students who are committed to our mission.”
Dr. Gottesman’s legacy will be celebrated each spring as a new class of physicians, unburdened by tuition fees, graduates to provide compassionate care and transform communities around the globe. Her act of kindness serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of generosity and the lasting impact it can have on the lives of others.
