For Michael Ellis, MD, JMC ’70, and his family, Jefferson Medical College (JMC) is a tradition dating back to the 1930s. Nine family members have attended JMC, including Michael, his son Jeffrey Ellis, MD, JMC ’98, and their cousins Stewart First, MD, JMC ’56, Richard Ellis, MD, JMC ’49, and Alison Sharpe Avram, MD, JMC ’96. An uncle, Arthur First, MD, was a longtime member of the faculty.

To help new generations of Jefferson students, the Abraham M. and Rose Ellis Foundation, which honors Michael’s grandparents and is celebrating its 50th anniversary, recently contributed $50,000 to endow a scholarship fund. Michael is trustee of the Foundation, which plans to add to this fund every year until it becomes an endowed teaching fund.
The rising cost of medical education is a constant challenge since nearly three-quarters of JMC students receive financial aid. Because tuition funds only part of the actual expense of medical education, Jefferson relies on private support to provide student aid and attract outstanding faculty.

“My family and I wanted to make a gift that would help as many students as possible,” Michael said. “The Ellis Fund is a wonderful way to honor our family’s Jefferson tradition and help future generations create their own.”

Visit The Jefferson 2000 Fund website at http://www.tju.edu/jeffgiving/

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