
±Ź“Dzõ³Ł±š»å:ĢżJuly 10, 2020
Leader. Advocate. Mentor. Inspiration.Ā Dr. Jean Gray, CM (LLDā05), Professor Emeritus, Medical Education, Medicine, and Pharmacology at ×īŠĀŠÓ°ÉŌ““, is renowned worldwide for her pioneering work in clinical pharmacology, womenās health and the promotion of women in medicine.
Trained in internal medicine, Dr. Gray founded ×īŠĀŠÓ°ÉŌ““ās Division of General Medicine at a time when women physicians ā let alone, women medical school faculty ā were rare. Yet Grayās stellar career might have taken an entirely different trajectory, had it not been for the financial support that funded her university education.
After the death of her Canadian Army father in Germany in 1956, money was tight. Jeanās mother fought long and hard for her to qualify for educational benefits from Veteranās Affairs. Meanwhile, the top student applied for every scholarship available.
āWithout financial assistance, I wouldnāt have been able to afford my education,ā says Gray. Later, as a professor, Gray saw her own students struggle to manage the costs of medical school. One, in particular, stood out. āHe kept losing weight and we wondered why,ā she recalls. āIt turned out he could afford only one meal a day.ā
āI think thatās the moment I realized we must invest in these students,ā says Gray. From that day forward, she ensured every student coming on the ward in the morning received a good breakfast.
So in her estate, Gray is creating a permanent source of support for future medical students. Through a life insurance policy that names ×īŠĀŠÓ°ÉŌ““ as the owner and beneficiary, she has established a scholarship, named for a beloved aunt.
āMy financial advisor pointed out that any gift left in my will would be taxed off the top once it goes through probate,ā she explains. āThe proceeds of the life insurance policy, however, will go directly to ×īŠĀŠÓ°ÉŌ““, meaning the funds can be put to work for the students right away.ā
āAnd by saving on taxes, Iāll be leaving a larger gift,ā adds Gray.
āNow, I want to invest in the next generation of ×īŠĀŠÓ°ÉŌ““ doctors and help them accomplish what I was able to do.ā