The W. W. Smith Charitable Trust Gives $1.5 Million to Support Heart Research at TJU

The W. W. Smith Charitable Trust of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, has awarded a special onetime grant of $1.5 million to endow The William Wikoff Smith Chair in Cardiac Research at Jefferson Medical College (JMC) of Thomas Jefferson University.

Mr. Smith was President of Kewanee Oil Company and Chairman of its Board. He also served as President of the Philadelphia Maritime Museum (now the Independence Seaport Museum) and enjoyed photography, ship model building and sailing. Another area of interest was medical research. Mr. Smith died in 1976, and his will created The W. W. Smith Charitable Trust to help future generations through grants to area institutions.

"This grant is given as a reflection of Bill Smith's exceptional vision and his desire to enhance medical excellence," said Mrs. Mary L. Smith, trustee of The W. W. Smith Charitable Trust and widow of Mr. Smith. "It is an honor to be a partner with Jefferson and work with its professionals who are at the forefront of heart research."

The holder of The William Wikoff Smith Chair will be appointed in the near future. This individual will determine the specific focus of the cardiac research that the income from this grant will support.

"This special gift will have a significant impact on our cardiovascular research program, and we deeply appreciate The W. W. Smith Charitable Trust's generosity," said Paul C. Brucker, MD, President of the University. "Jefferson's association with the Smith family, The W. W. Smith Charitable Trust and the Mary L. Smith Charitable Lead Trust has spanned some 20 years and has been very fruitful. This grant attests to the success of this collaboration and honors the dedication and leadership of Mr. Smith."

Joseph S. Gonnella, MD, Dean of JMC, noted, "This type of support is vital to our mission because it expands our faculty's ability to explore the frontiers of medical research."

The W. W. Smith Charitable Trust and the Mary L. Smith Charitable Lead Trust have awarded Jefferson more than $3 million for basic and clinical research in heart disease, AIDS and cancer. Such generosity has enabled Smith-supported scientists to significantly advance their research and garner federal grants worth millions of dollars to Jefferson's medical research program.

Since 1977, the Trust has donated more than $92 million to area institutions to support medical research; college financial aid; and food, clothing and shelter for children and the aged.