Seattle-based University of Washington Medicine created a $20 million deanship to honor retired dean Paul Ramsey, MD.
The endowment is expected to provide funding to "advance research discoveries, train medical leaders and further excellence and equity in healthcare," according to a Jan. 19 UW Medicine news release.
Two $10 million gifts — one each from Steve and Connie Ballmer and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation — will primarily fund the largest publicly announced deanship at a medical school in the country.
The first endowments from the deanship, established in recognition of Dr. Ramsey's 25 years of service as CEO of UW Medicine and dean of the UW School of Medicine, will be awarded beginning June 30.
Before retiring in summer 2022, Dr. Ramsey was instrumental during the COVID-19 pandemic by integrating the school's research, training and clinical programs, according to the release.
"Dr. Ramsey has been an extraordinary leader, a trusted physician, a dedicated mentor and a cherished friend," Mr. Gates said in the release. "We are pleased to be able to honor Paul’s contributions to advancing health equity in our community in this way."