
On a wintry evening in early December, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed) Dean Robert G. Sawyer, MD, welcomed donors to the W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus to learn more about the medical school’s commitment to health equity – and thank them for their continued support of the institution.
At the Dean’s Circle Winter Reception, held Wednesday, December 11, 2024, inside the William D. Johnston and Ronda E. Stryker Auditorium, donors in the Dean’s Circle Leadership Giving Society got the chance to hear from WMed leadership and students about how donor support is making a tangible and lasting impact on their lives and pushing the mission and vision of the medical school forward.
MORE: Photos from the Dean's Circle Winter Reception
“It is because of the dedication and tireless effort of our students, faculty, residents, fellows, staff, and donors – along with sustained community support – that together we make continued progress on our journey to achieve health equity for all in Southwest Michigan,” Dr. Sawyer said.

During the event, Dr. Sawyer announced that the medical school has its first endowed chair. With a generous gift from David T. Overton, MD, WMed created the David T. Overton Endowed Chair of Emergency Medicine.
Dr. Sawyer also highlighted several initiatives that are advancing WMed’s vision for health equity, including the Early Introduction to Health Careers pathway programs, which introduce underrepresented elementary, middle and high school students to the variety of career possibilities in the biomedical science and healthcare fields while also bolstering their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Additionally, Dr. Sawyer touted the medical school’s community outreach efforts such as Street Medicine Kalamazoo, which provides healthcare services for people who are unhoused, living on the streets, in encampments, in shelters, or other temporary housing, and the Firehouse Clinic, a student-run clinic formed in partnership with Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries that aims to increase access to healthcare for those struggling in and around the Kalamazoo community.
Later in the program, first-year medical student Sydney Slepian shared how donor support has made it possible for her to attend WMed. Originally from Sussex County, New Jersey, Slepian received an athletic and merit scholarship at nearby Hillsdale College, where she earned her undergraduate degree in biology.

When thinking about future careers, Slepian repeatedly considered medical school, but she worried about the cost of the education. Ultimately believing it was the right path for her, Slepian began applying to medical schools in May 2023, but throughout the application cycle, she was concerned about the financial burden that attending medical school might put on her family.
“Everything completely changed when WMed offered me a scholarship,” Slepian said. “This action, directly due to your generosity, literally put in my hands the opportunity to pursue medical education and the entire course of my life is altered forever, thanks to your contributions.”
Grace Lubwama, PhD, a member of WMed’s board of directors and president/CEO of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, encouraged donors to support medical students through scholarships, mentorship, and other resources. Doing so, she said, will help shape a new generation of physicians who are committed to creating a more equitable healthcare system.
“WMed’s success depends on the strength of local businesses and support of civic leaders and the generosity of individuals like you,” Lubwama said. “Together, we can ensure that these students have the resources that they need to thrive, and that the mission of health equity remains at the forefront of everything that we do.”
Steve McKiddy, chair of the Dean’s Circle Leadership Giving Society and chief financial officer of Greenleaf Trust, said, “Donor gifts are an investment that will shape the future of healthcare in Southwest Michigan, ensuring that the medical school continues to thrive and fulfills its vision of health equity for all. Your investment does more than support individual students, it strengthens the fabric of our region.”
Contact the Office of Development at giving@wmed.edu for more information about how you can support the medical school by making a gift or becoming involved in our efforts.