a phone call in1963. Samuel Hinkle, a 1922 Penn State College
of Science graduate, who went on to become president of the
Hershey Chocolate Corporation and head of the philanthropic
Hershey Foundation, called and invited then Penn State President
Eric Walker to meet with him in Hershey.
At the meeting, Hinkle suggested that the University should establish a medical
school and teaching hospital. Walker’s response to Hinkle’s suggestion: “Sam, it
costs a lot of money… You and I are country boys. We can’t imagine how much -
millions!” Hinkle’s reply: “How many?” “Fifty,” said Walker. “I think we can get
it,” said Hinkle and they did, with thanks to a generous founding gift from the
Milton S. Hershey Trust. Since then philanthropy and other forms of financial
support have distinguished Penn State Hershey Medical Center and Penn State
College of Medicine as the only academic medical center as well as the only
Level One Trauma Center between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, serving over 600,000
patients annually.
Learn more about how Penn State College of Medicine supporters have
created scholarships to help train future physicians and scientists like Logan
Houlihan.
Through the generosity and thoughtful philanthropy of our grateful patients,
alumni, corporations, foundations, and other friends, we continue to strengthen
the quality of a medical education for current and future students, serve our
community and enhance the quality of life through improved health care services
and the discovery of knowledge.
Each year, our donors generously provide important support for equipment, new
and improved facilities, endowed scholarships, and funding for life-saving research.
Numerous individuals, organizations, and corporate sponsors join together in
support of Children’s Miracle Network and
The
Four Diamond’s Fund—two organizations that focus entirely on childhood
illness and health care. Special events such as the Jake
Gittlen Memorial Golf Tournament raise important support for cancer research.
