A gift of $11,000 from Alumni of the Long School of Medicine class of 2011, along with other generous donors, has established the School of Medicine Class of 2011 Student Service Learning Endowment in honor of Richard Usatine, M.D. Kyle Kalkwarf, M.D., a 2011 graduate, said the class chose to pay tribute to Dr. Usatine for his spirit of humanism and example of ethics through mentorship of students in the Student-Run Free Clinics. “Dr. Usatine is a perfect representative of the values our class wanted to honor through this endowment. He was instrumental in establishing the clinics and vital to ensuring their success,” Dr. Kalkwarf said. “We believe it is fitting to show our appreciation for these programs by establishing an endowment that will ensure similar opportunities for future students. We also hope to emulate Dr. Usatine’s selfless service and dedication to our community and his patients as we begin our careers as physicians.” Dr. Kalkwarf also recognized Fred G. Corley, M.D., of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, for helping the class create the endowment. Offered through the Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics at the Health Science Center, the clinics allow students to care for underserved populations. “The clinics inspire our students to provide compassionate health care to people with the greatest need. It brings out the best in students as they learn to give openly with their hearts and minds,” Dr. Usatine said.
Dr. Usatine who has been a faculty member at the UT Health Science Center for nine years is assistant director of humanities education in the Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics.