A Note of Appreciation
Your generosity strengthens Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine in countless ways—supporting physicians and researchers, enriching education for students and trainees and advancing the facilities and technologies that power our care. Through your partnership, we’re improving lives and building a healthier future for the communities we serve.
Last year, donors like you supported us like never before, leading to a record-breaking year of philanthropy for the health system and college! I’m thrilled to share some of the many meaningful ways we put your contributions to work in the following report. Our shared success is cause for celebration, and it is also the springboard for new goals and opportunities. This year, the University will launch Penn State Forever: The Campaign to Lead and Serve. We look forward to telling you about our fundraising priorities as part of this new campaign, including expanding scholarship support at the College of Medicine, advancing treatments for the health challenges that most affect our communities—including cancer, heart and vascular disease, neurological and behavioral disorders and children’s health conditions—and confronting long-standing barriers to health care access and delivery in rural Pennsylvania. Your generosity and belief in our mission inspire everything we do. Thank you.
Kelly Altland • AVP for Development and Chief Development Officer, Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine
thoughts from our leaders
Since stepping into this role in June 2025, I’ve been inspired every day by the compassion, dedication and excellence that define Penn State Health. One thing that truly sets us apart is the community that stands behind us—people like you. Your philanthropic support is not just appreciated—it’s essential. It helps us care for more patients at our academic medical center, community hospitals and throughout our growing health system, train future physicians alongside our partners at the College of Medicine and bring life-changing innovations to the bedside. Every gift is a vote of confidence in our people and our purpose. With your continued support, we can do even more. Working together, Penn State Health will not only meet the needs of today but rise to the challenges of tomorrow. Michael Kupferman, MD, MBA • CEO, Penn State Health
Philanthropy is a powerful catalyst for all we do at Penn State College of Medicine; from educating future physician-leaders and medical scientists to driving the discoveries that shape the future of health. Your support fuels bold ideas, strengthens our academic mission and advances health equity across our region and beyond, in partnership with Penn State Health. Our students, trainees, faculty and researchers share a deep commitment to healing, service and innovation, yet the path to becoming a health care professional or scientist is increasingly demanding. Your generosity eases this burden by helping to ensure that talented, compassionate students can pursue their calling without financial barriers and that our educators and researchers have the resources they need to excel. By investing in scholarships, research and academic excellence, you help us build a healthier, more equitable future where possibility thrives and discovery accelerates. Karen E. Kim, MD, MS • Dean; Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Rural Health Research, Penn State College of Medicine
Fiscal Year '25 Commitments
Total: $75,480,862 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025)
Individually meaningful, collectively extraordinary—your generosity drives change across our mission.
Supporting students
Empowering the next generation of health care leaders
Scholarship support meets growing financial need—and so much more.
Helping our students pay for their medical education is vital, and the value of scholarship support extends beyond just helping to cover tuition. It gives these future health leaders the freedom to work in underserved communities, pursue innovative research, embrace advocacy and give back in countless ways. With the steadfast support of generous alumni, faculty and friends, our students’ potential impact is boundless.
Growing up in Harrisburg, Pa., in a diverse and multicultural neighborhood, I saw firsthand how access to compassionate and culturally informed health care can change lives. These experiences, coupled with my deep curiosity for science, fueled my desire to pursue a career in medicine. I’m especially drawn to Family Medicine, where I hope to care for diverse populations with a particular focus on pediatric patients and advocate for greater health care accessibility.
Scholarship support has brought me one step closer to achieving these goals, and I am truly grateful. Thank you for your belief in my potential and for making it possible for students like me to pursue our dreams.
Maaz Ali ’26 • 4th-yr medical student
- Peter and Judith Dillon Medical Student Scholarship
- Edward P. Junker, III Scholarship
- Lane, Novinger, Pascotti, Sourbeer Family Scholarship
- Dr. Lindsey T. Surace Medical Student Scholarship
My current PhD research focuses on understanding the effects of chronic opioids on neuronal microRNA levels in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Your support allows me to dedicate my time and energy to advancing this deeply personal work, that is critical to addressing the opioid crisis's impact on our most vulnerable populations.
Your belief in students like me is incredibly inspiring. Knowing that alumni and community donors are invested in my potential motivates me to strive for excellence and give back to others in meaningful ways. Thank you for making this journey possible and for being a part of my story. I hope to one day extend the same generosity and encouragement to future generations of students.
Rhea Sullivan, MD ’25 • PhD Candidate ’27
- College of Medicine Alumni Society Endowed Scholarship
I am endlessly grateful for the financial support from the Penn State community. As someone interested in practicing psychiatry in underserved communities, I’ve already begun considering how my future finances will shape my career path. The loans I’ve taken to attend both undergraduate school and the College of Medicine have led many to suggest I pursue a higher-paying specialty so I’m not drowning in debt and struggling to support myself while in repayment. My scholarship support has eased some of that pressure. Knowing that there are donors who support my decision to pursue the specialty I’m passionate about rather than the one that pays the most is extremely reassuring. I am truly honored and grateful to have the freedom to choose what is really important to me.
Olivia Henningsen ’29 • 1st-yr medical student
- Inaugural recipient - Dr. Berend Mets Scholarship in Medicine
- Joan M. Ruffle, MD ’73 Endowed Scholarship
The Dr. Berend Mets Scholarship in Medicine is one of 16 new endowed scholarship funds for medical students created in 2024 as part of a special scholarship challenge. Dean Karen Kim and Dr. Randy Chang, her husband, committed to giving $250,000 to both establish their own endowed scholarship fund and to create a challenge gift fund to encourage other donors to follow their lead. The challenge gift fund was utilized to early activate 15 additional new endowed scholarships (payable over five years), allowing recipients like Olivia to benefit right away, before the new endowments were fully funded.
sustaining excellence
Supporting our faculty, residents and staff
Dermatology
Dermatologist Kenneth H. Katz, MD ’00 and Gwendolyn Katz, his wife, established the Kenneth and Gwendolyn Katz Endowed Chair in Dermatology in Honor of James Marks. This meaningful gift strengthens their longstanding philanthropic commitment to the department, while also honoring Dr. Katz’s professional mentor and empowering faculty to lead with vision and inspire the next generation of dermatologists.
Photo caption: Dr. Jeffrey J. Miller, Kenneth and Gwendolyn Katz Endowed Chair in Dermatology, makes opening remarks during the department's 50th anniversary celebration at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine on June 6, 2025.
Nursing
Nurses play a vitally important role within Penn State Health, caring for our patients with expertise, empathy and respect. Thanks to philanthropic support, three new funds were established to support our nurses’ professional growth and recognize their contributions and achievements.
- The Donna S. Graybill Nursing Excellence Award in Oncology
- The Kate and Dakota Mummert Nursing Education Fund
- The Evan M. Semoff, Jr. Nursing Excellence Awards at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Additionally, thanks to a contribution from the Giorgi Family Foundation, Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center implemented the Responder Enterprise nursing call system, enabling our nurses and care teams to work more efficiently and effectively to enhance patient care.
Photo caption: Cindy Covaleski, a registered nurse, cares for patient John Noel in the Perianethesia Care Unit of Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
Ophthalmology
Philanthropic support for ophthalmology education and resident training last fiscal year will strengthen the department’s ability to attract and develop the next generation of eye care specialists, while investments in research will fuel innovation in the prevention and treatment of vision disorders. Donor contributions established or enriched the following funds:
- The Beverly and Melvin Pollock Endowment for Ophthalmology Education
- The Ophthalmology Hospital Fund at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
- The Jane Ward Professorship in Ophthalmology, held by Dr. Ingrid Scott, who specializes in improved treatments for retinal diseases such as retinal vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
- The Eric G. Liddell and Rochelle M. Liddell Ophthalmology Resident Education Endowment
- The Dertad Manguikian, MD Cornea Program Endowment in Ophthalmology
Additionally, Dr. Seth Pantanelli was appointed as the Jack and Nancy Turner Professor of Ophthalmology last year. Powered by philanthropy, Dr. Pantanelli’s research focuses on developing and testing new diagnostic and therapeutic devices that impact vision and recovery after surgery.
Photo caption: Dr. Seth Pantanelli performs cornea replacement surgery on Jean Horshman.
fueling breakthroughs
Advancing our care and research priorities
Rural Health
Although one in three Pennsylvanians live in rural communities, the number of health care providers based in these communities has decreased by 30 percent over the past fifteen years. Penn State supporters—led by the generosity of philanthropists Ross and Carol Nese—have stepped up to tackle the issue with more than $4.5 million in collective support to build the program and aid students involved in it. LEARN MORE.
Two additional new endowments established last year will also provide robust support for rural health initiatives:
- The John E. Morgan Foundation Rural Health Care Endowment
- The Kathy Pape and Robert Trinkle Rural Health Physician Assistant Scholarship
Photo caption: Manvita Mareboina, a second-year medical student, obtains information from Bill Hoffman during a visit to the Penn State College of Medicine LION Mobile Clinic in Snow Shoe, Pa.
Cardiovascular Disease
Rocco Ortenzio, who passed away in 2024, and Nancy Ortenzio have long supported cardiovascular care at Penn State Health through their generous philanthropy. An additional leadership gift last year in support of the Ortenzio Heart Center at Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center will allow for essential infrastructure and technology upgrades.
A gift from long-time donors Joseph and Jane Cottonaro strengthens the Penn State Health Congenital Heart Center, the only comprehensive program for pediatric and adult congenital heart disease in central Pennsylvania.
Carolyn and Jerome Holleran continued their support of cardiology care in Berks County with a new gift to Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center.
Photo caption: Leaders in the Penn State Health Congenital Heart Center, left to right, Dr. Elisa Bradley, Dr. John Myers, Dr. Karthik Ramakrishnan and Dr. John Breinholt III.
Cancer
Through their thoughtful estate planning, the Abel family established a bequest gift that will create the Ed and Susan Abel Neuro-Oncology Research Endowment and the Ed and Susan Abel Professorship in Neuro-Oncology, both in the Department of Neurosurgery.
Generous outright and planned gifts from Donald and Anna Maria Enders, Susan Beth Farmer and the Estate of David W. Reager, Esq. will bolster research and clinical trials at Penn State Cancer Institute.
Thanks to contributions from many, Penn State Health’s first annual “Let’s Get Ahead” campaign raised $52,863 during Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month in April.
Photo caption: Dr. Emily Funk of Penn State Health Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery scans the neck of patient Tom Murphy to show what the area looks like following the removal of his thyroid and lymph nodes this past November after he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Building a Legacy of Care
Dr. Mary Simmonds, oncology physician, educator and leader with deep roots in central Pennsylvania, made the largest leadership commitment to date to support the new Penn State Health Cancer Center at Hampden Medical Center, which opened in October 2025. For Dr. Simmonds, supporting the new Cancer Center brought her career, volunteerism and philanthropy full circle. A fourth-generation medical provider, Dr. Simmonds completed her fellowship at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and went on to join the faculty of Penn State College of Medicine. Later, she served as an oncologist with the Andrews & Patel private practice, and was proud to be the first female physician to care for patients in her hometown of New Cumberland. After retiring from Andrews & Patel, which became a part of Penn State Health in 2018, Simmonds chaired Penn State Health’s Cancer Development Committee, helping to raise funds and awareness for oncology initiatives at Penn State Cancer Institute, the College of Medicine and across the health system—including the new Cancer Center at Hampden Medical Center. When patients, families and visitors enter the center, they will recognize Simmonds’ familiar name on the center’s main reception and registration area, which has been named in honor of her gift.
Addiction Research
Alumnus Dr. Edward Saylor’s ongoing support of the Penn State Addiction Center for Translation will advance research led by Center co-director Patricia "Sue" Grigson, PhD, whose work focuses on disrupting the neurobiological mechanisms of substance use disorders. Her recent studies highlight the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists—originally developed for diabetes and obesity—to reduce opioid cravings, relapse and drug-seeking behaviors in both clinical and preclinical settings.
Photo caption: Grigson, left, professor and chair, Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics and G. Thomas Passananti Professor, poses in the lab with research colleague Scott Bunce, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral health.
COmmunity champions
Bringing together family, friends and neighbors for a cause
We are uplifted by grassroots fundraising efforts led by individuals and families who believe in our mission and help us address pressing community needs.
Photo caption: Family and friends of Tiffany Lynn O'Donnell gather to honor her memory and raise funds to support Penn State Health breast cancer patients through the inaugural Tiffany's Pink Pedal Ride on August 10, 2024.
The inaugural Tiffany’s Pink Pedal Ride raised $43,604 to benefit the Karen Dwyer Jones Patient Support Fund at the Penn State Health Breast Center.
Putt for a Purpose: The Sandra Baksi Memorial Miniature Golf Tournament, held for the first time in June 2025, raised $4,929 for the Kristen Olewine Milke CARE Center (Cancer Assistance and Resource Education) at Penn State Cancer Institute.
A generous gift from The Steinman Foundation benefited the Lancaster County Allied Health Career Pathway Program. Developed and administered by Penn State PRO Wellness, this program comprises an allied healthcare career summer exploration camp and career pathway program for Lancaster County high school students.
Photo caption: Lindsay Aluquin, right, a program coordinator with Penn State Pro Wellness, helps out with an interview drill during the Lancaster County Allied Health Career Summer Explorations camp on June 23, 2025.
Children's Health
Inspiring a brighter tomorrow
Children's Miracle Network
Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hershey raised a total of $4.1 million in its 2024-25 fundraising year to support vital equipment, programs and research benefiting children receiving care throughout Penn State Health.
- The 41st annual CMN Hershey Telethon, broadcast June 2–5, 2025, on WGAL8, raised an impressive $343,954.
- The 18th annual People’s Pay 4 Play, broadcast on WQXA-FM 105.7 THE X from November 21–22, 2024, raised a noteworthy $387,731 for Children’s Miracle Network at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital—bringing the event’s 17-year total to more than $3.7 million.
- Extra Life Hershey, a CMN gaming marathon, held its second annual 24-hour Game Day on Nov. 2-3, 2024, and raised more than $27,880.
- The 29th annual sporting clays event, organized by the Facilities Department at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and friends of the medical center, raised $87,054 in support of Children’s Miracle Network. To date, the event has raised more than $2.2 million.
Gifts at Work: Funded by community support through CMN, Deep Resolve, our new advanced AI-powered image reconstruction technology uses deep learning to produce faster, sharper and clearer MRI scans. By speeding up exams, Deep Resolve helps reduce the time children need to be under anesthesia—making their hospital experience safer and more comfortable.
Photo caption: Miracle Child Ayden Szallar and his father, Paul, play a round of Uno during the CMN Extra Life Tabletop event on April 12, 2025.
Meet Harper
After an accident at age three, Harper was rushed to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and underwent multiple surgeries and a partial foot amputation. Through it all, her bright spirit never wavered—she even requested pink casts. Donor-funded art therapy became a turning point in Harper’s healing, giving her a way to express her emotions. Thanks to generous donors, kids like Harper—and their families—get the support they need to heal and grow.
Four Diamonds
With unwavering generosity, many thousands of donors came together last year to contribute $25,201,805 to benefit Four Diamonds—including gifts through THON™, Mini-THON®, and community events—all to help children and families in their fight against cancer.
- Penn State THON 2025 raised an unprecedented $17,634,423 for Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital—surpassing last year’s milestone by nearly $679,000.
- Students from more than 225 schools participating in Mini-THON raised an impressive $6,413,950 during the 2024-2025 school year to support Four Diamonds.
Photo caption: Four Diamonds child Blakely Kling, 2, dances with her mother, Victoria and her father Spencer during THON 2025.
Meet Logan
One morning, Logan seemed sicker than she had ever been. After Logan was diagnosed with double pink eye, double ear infections and strep throat, blood tests also indicated a strong possibility of cancer. Following a biopsy at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, Logan and her parents, Jennifer and Matthew, knew they were now facing the worst. Fortunately, Four Diamonds had Logan covered and gave her parents a sense of relief knowing that they could put all their focus, time and energy into helping Logan get well.
“The gift that Four Diamonds has given to our family—I don’t know what better gift we could receive,” said Jennifer. “Logan getting better is the ultimate gift, and the support from Four Diamonds is what is helping us get there.”
Meet Noah
At just 3 years old, Noah loves to run and play. But in January 2023, his world changed with a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Two weeks after a suspected ear infection, Noah’s energy faded. His pediatrician sent him for urgent bloodwork. Doctors confirmed leukemia. Within a day, Noah began chemotherapy at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. From expert care teams to Child Life specialists and the support of Four Diamonds, Noah’s journey is surrounded by compassion and hope. "Four Diamonds has been one of the greatest blessings to our family during the hardest time of our lives,” said Noah’s mom, Cayla. “We are so grateful to them and all of their supporters for taking some of the burden off of us, allowing us to focus solely on Noah and his healing.”
Photo caption: Cayla Frey holds the hand of her son, Noah, as he enjoys the Cocoa Castle Playground.
Restoring the Joy of Childhood
A gift from an anonymous donor foundation to the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation helps patients with spinal injuries and mobility issues purchase adaptive cycles, a vital vehicle for independence and mobility, often not covered by insurance. Read how this gift benefited 9-year-old Laykin Ryan, who was paralyzed from the waist down in a tragic automobile accident.
Photo caption: Penn State Health’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation presented a custom adaptive bike to Laykin Ryan of Pottsville, Schuylkill County.