Supporting Research

Our research goes hand in hand with our teaching, and students benefit from exceptional faculty whose continuous innovation is shared in the classroom and beyond.

Research starts with an innovative idea and ends with improved patient care. Private support to this fund plays a vital role in bringing these ideas to fruition, gathering pilot data and supporting the faculty to explore the validity and merit of these ideas through new grant applications.

Current topics of research interest include: women's health, cancer prevention, exercise promotion, depression, Japanese culture and health, medical decision-making, mental health, complementary and alternative medicine, and health and the hearing impaired.

The Department of Family Medicine has research projects in all stages, from an innovative idea to major programs funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. 

Dr. Max and Buena Lichter Research Professorship Fund

Once the fund reaches its full endowment level, the Dr. Max and Buena Lichter Research Professorship will be used to support a senior research faculty member in the Department of Family Medicine.   Give Now

Family Medicine Enrichment Fund

Discretionary support provides tremendous flexibility for our chair and the department as they adapt to ever-changing needs and demands. This support will go toward students, faculty support, emergency renovations, new academic initiatives, research assistance, and clinical initiatives.   Give Now

Family Medicine Enrichment Fund Robert I. Cutcher, M.D. Endowment Fund

Margaret Davies, M.D. Endowment Fund

A bequest gift will establish a permanent endowment called the Margaret Davies, M.D. Endowment Fund. This fund will support faculty members’ projects and work in the behavioral sciences arena.   Give Now

"We are truly grateful to receive a bequest gift to celebrate Margaret's contributions to the Department of Family Medicine as one of the first clinician-teachers 30 years ago. It is especially meaningful since it comes from a former faculty member and will support a current faculty member's work in the behavioral sciences arena." - Thomas L. Schwenk, M.D., the first George A. Dean, M.D. Chair of Family Medicine regarding the Margaret Davies, M.D. Endowment Fund

William C. Gorenflo Research Fund

The William C. Gorenflo Research Fund provides an award to a medical student or resident who is doing research with a family medicine clinical or research faculty member. This unique award, established in honor and memory of William C. Gorenflo, provides incentive and inspires passion for research.   Give Now

Past William C. Gorenflo Research Award Recipients:

2006 Julie Phillips, M.D.

2005 Curi Kim, M.D.

2004 Katherine J. Gold, M.D., M.S.W., M.S.

 “… it has been my family medicine residency which has given me the resources, mentoring, and encouragement to help me be able to visualize a career centered around clinical research interests.  I remain grateful to our department for the commitment to research in family medicine in general and for the enormous support which has been offered to me as a young researcher early in her training.” - Katherine (Katy) J. Gold, M.D., M.S.W., M.S., assistant professor and recipient of the 2004 William Clippert Gorenflo Research Award