Paul Epler finds a gift to the “Adopt-A-Student” Scholarship Fund an excellent giving choice

Portrait: Paul Epler

When Paul Epler ('57 MD) started medical school at The University of Iowa in 1952, in-state tuition and fees were $256 per year. In-state students entering the UI Carver College of Medicine in 2006 will pay $20,619 per year. With the costs of attending medical school continuing to rise, becoming a physician may seem impossible to some, and that's why Epler decided to help.

He grew up in Kansas, but while he was serving in the U.S. Army, his parents moved to Brooklyn, Iowa. After his tour of duty, Epler planned to begin college at Iowa State University, but changed his mind and enrolled in Harvard University.

“After I completed my undergraduate degree, my father, who was a minister and never made much money, said he'd pay my tuition for medical school,” said Epler. “My application was accepted, so I enrolled in the UI. My father's help was important, but my wife, Martha ('53 MFA), worked as a teacher. She put the bread and butter on the table. I graduated debt free. I was so fortunate.”

When Epler received his medical degree he began an internship at Fresno County Hospital. Six graduates from his class went there as well. “Many Iowans go to California,” said Epler. “After my internship in Fresno, I began my residency in anesthesia with Dr. Stuart Cullen at the University of California, San Francisco. My residency was a result of contact I had made with him at Iowa. You wouldn't believe how many Iowa connections I've found during my career in California.”

Epler joined an anesthesia practice in San Diego in 1960, practiced for 32 years and retired in 1992. While looking at a recent issue of Medicine, an article explaining the “Adopt-A-Student” Scholarship Fund caught his attention. “I thought, ‘this is fantastic—everyone should do it,'” said Epler.

He had been in contact with the UI Foundation through previous donations to the College, and began working with them on a contribution to the scholarship fund.

Epler explained that he felt he owed a debt to the University of Iowa since taxpayer money is used for public education—his education—and because many opportunities at the start of his career were aided by important connections he made in medical school.

“Most of all, I'm glad I can help a student in need. I consider it an investment in the student too—a vote of confidence,” he said.

Lisa Niedergeses, an M1 from Sioux City, Iowa, is the recipient of Epler's scholarship. She graduated from Grinnell College in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in biology and foreign languages (French and Spanish). Niedergeses deferred her admission for one year to work as a teaching assistant in France. She is considering family medicine, but is open to other specialties as well.

“It's wonderful for alumni to support students and programs. It shows their dedication to the future of medicine,” said Niedergeses. “I'd like to thank Dr. Epler for supporting my scholarship. It will allow me to enrich my medical education, and I hope to offer support in a similar way in the future.”

Today, most students are not fortunate enough to graduate debt free. By the year 2008, the average in-state medical student indebtedness is projected to be $157,150 in loan principal upon graduation, with some non-resident students having debt as high as $225,000.

The value of alumni participating in scholarship programs is immeasurable, especially to the student who receives the extra help, and the College becomes stronger too.

According to Jean Robillard, MD, ('74 R), dean of the College, scholarships allow the College to recruit the best students by making an Iowa education accessible to more aspiring physicians and researchers. The scholarships enhance the overall quality and diversity of the entire student body.

The foundation manages several medical student scholarship funds including:

The UI acknowledges the UI Foundation as the preferred channel for private contributions that benefit all areas of the University. Visit its Web site at www.uiowafoundation.org. For more information about how you can provide endowed scholarship support for the students of the College, please contact Tori Erickson, associate director of development, major gifts UI Carver College of Medicine/UIHC at the UI Foundation at 319-335-3305 or 800-648-6973, or by e-mail at: tori-erickson@uiowa.edu.