Financial aid and education
James “Jim” Vernon, MD ’61, does not think of himself as a philanthropist, yet he has made an impact on countless lives as a surgeon, husband, father, and grandfather, approaching each role with humor and humility.
A joyful Owais Fazal wears the white coat that he received during welcome week activities for Class of 2025 medical students in early August.
Vernon realized he wanted to be a physician while studying chemistry at Amherst College. As much as he enjoyed learning about science, he recognized that a career solely in a laboratory was not going to fulfill his desire to interact with people, which he found to be more fun and invigorating. Medicine, it turned out, was the perfect blend of science and social interaction. “Life has been a true joy thanks to medicine,” Vernon says. “Being a physician energized me, and I looked forward to providing the best patient care every day. I want to help other medical students find as much joy in the profession as I found during my career.” To that end, and in honor of his 60th Reunion, Vernon recently committed $1 million in financial aid to Harvard Medical School by establishing a blended gift of appreciated stock and a charitable gift annuity (CGA).
“I want to help other medical students find as much joy in the profession as I found during my career.”
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Spreading the joy
Students in the HMS Class of 2020 graduated with an average medical debt of $106,877, while the national average at private medical schools was $185,682, according to the HMS Financial Aid Office. He is able to fulfill his near-term financial goals, including providing tuition support for his grandchildren, while pledging additional financial aid support to medical students at HMS.
James Vernon
“Borrowing money for graduate studies is an anathema for me,” says Vernon, who is hoping his gift will contribute to the next generation of medical students leaving school debt-free. By establishing his gift partially through a CGA, he will receive fixed income for life—a benefit that made the gift manageable, he says.
“I have been privileged and blessed to be a member of Harvard Medical School. I feel my education there was second to none,” Vernon says. “I am grateful to have completed my training at HMS, and I am happy to help others share in that experience with this gift.” Vernon may not think of himself as a philanthropist, but he is likely alone in that diagnosis.
Alumni Day l a u t Vir
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Like Reunion, Alumni Day also shifted its format. Alumni not celebrating a Reunion this year were invited to participate in the two webinars offered during Reunion (see opposite page). Learn more at alumni.hms.harvard.edu/alumni-day.