Concert to Benefit UC Medical Student Scholarship Fund Set for Jan. 8

The University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine will host the 12th annual IvaDean Scholarship Benefit Concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, in the Medical Sciences Building's Kresge Auditorium, 231 Albert Sabin Way.

The event, which features musical performances from College of Medicine faculty, staff and students, aims to support the IvaDean Medical Student Scholarship Fund for medical students in need of financial assistance. UC President Santa Ono is scheduled to perform with students.

The fund, named after associate dean emeritus IvaDean Lair, was created by the outgoing medical class of 2003 as a way to honor Lair's more than 50 years of service to the college and provide relief to students burdened by the escalating costs of medical school tuition. 

Nationally, the average starting physician begins a career in medicine with more than a $166,000 in medical school debt, according to CBS MoneyWatch. Daniel Burr, PhD, assistant dean for student financial planning in the College of Medicine, says the scholarship fund has awarded $677,531 to 120 medical students.

More than $2.3 million has been raised through the scholarship fund, reports the UC Foundation.

"The Iva Dean Concert is part of a tradition that represents the best of the College of Medicine," says Burr.  

"For twelve years students, graduates and friends of the College of Medicine have contributed to a scholarship fund named in honor of a woman who has devoted her working life to helping UC medical students. There have been no million dollar contributions; rather contributions have come from a large number of people, including students and recent graduates, each donating what they can afford.

"From the beginning, the goal has been to help as many students with financial need as possible by reducing the amount they must borrow to attend medical school," says Burr.

Students benefiting from the scholarship fund are grateful for Lair's efforts to assist students in the College of Medicine.

"The cost of medical school rises each year, especially with the growing expenses of board preparation and the interview season," says Annie Delisio, a third-year medical student. "However, the IvaDean scholarship fund has made all the difference for me. 

"It has allowed me the freedom to pursue a specialty that I am interested in and passionate about, rather than worry about the financial situation I will be in after residency, saddled with the crushing debt that goes hand in hand with becoming a physician," says Delisio.

Marcus Germany, a third-year medical student, says he's honored to receive such a "special scholarship."

"IvaDean truly does everything she can to make sure that her kids are taken care of in medical school and beyond," says Germany. "Her love for her UC College of Medicine family goes beyond anything words could ever express. I am blessed and highly favored to be rewarded with a scholarship that bears her name." 

The benefit concert is open to the public. Tickets are $5 for students and children and $15 for non-students and can be purchased at the door. All event proceeds will directly support the IvaDean Medical Student Scholarship Fund. For more information, call 513-558-5577 or email IvaDean at ivadean.lair@uc.edu.

A silent auction starts at 5:30 pm. outside of Kresge Auditorium.