TCU School of Medicine Announces the Tom and Joan Rogers Endowment Fund to Support Academic Excellence


The Tom and Joan Rogers Endowment in Support of Academic Excellence for the School of Medicine will provide for the greatest needs and opportunities annually in medical education and physician training.

By Maricar Estrella

Photo Credit: Glen Ellman

FORT WORTH – Community leaders Tom and Joan Rogers have established a permanent endowment for the TCU School of Medicine to support the school’s innovative curriculum and the training of Empathetic Scholars®.

The Tom and Joan Rogers Endowment in Support of Academic Excellence for the School of Medicine will provide for the greatest needs and opportunities annually in medical education and physician training.

“I am incredibly grateful for this generous gift, which will empower current and future generations of innovative and talented students,” said Stuart D. Flynn, M.D.,  Dean of the TCU School of Medicine. “Two of the first people I met upon arriving in Fort Worth were Mrs. and Dr. Rogers and they welcomed me in such a gracious and warm fashion. Their generosity is emblematic of their character as they support our efforts to create physicians who are highly skilled and knowledgeable yet compassionate care givers. Our students are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Rogers, a luminary in caring for our children in Fort Worth, as a role model to emulate on the delivery of care with empathy, passion, and love.”

Tom Rogers, M.D., retired after a 50-year career as a pediatrician, has been referred to as “Fort Worth’s original Empathetic Scholar.” Mrs. Rogers is a longtime member of the TCU Board of Trustees. Their generous gift to create this endowment also supports Lead On: A Campaign for TCU, the university’s most ambitious philanthropic campaign in its nearly 150-year history.

Dr. and Mrs. Rogers, their daughter Kelly, and three grandchildren are TCU graduates.

“Supporting the School of Medicine is pretty much a ‘no-brainer’ for us,” the couple said. “So, when TCU helped establish the M.D. School, we were eager to support it in any way we could.”

“Getting acquainted with many of the faculty and staff and meeting some of the truly amazing students only increased our eagerness to be involved,” they said. “Texas is desperate for more doctors, and hopefully some of these graduates will also choose to stay in Fort Worth to practice. In establishing this endowed program fund for academic excellence, we are supporting medical education while investing in these deserving students through the tough years of becoming a doctor.”

HOW TO GIVE

Gifts of any size may be made to The Tom and Joan Rogers Endowment in Support of Academic Excellence for the School of Medicine by contacting University Advancement at 817-257-7800 or TCU Box 297044, Fort Worth, TX 76129.