School of Medicine Giving


Medical Students

Faculty and Staff Giving Campaign

Transforming Healthcare in East Texas

 

Dear Colleagues,

We are united by a mission: to improve the quality of life and health in East Texas. Each day, you advance that mission through contributing your time, talent and expertise. We are a school grounded in its values and a commitment to serving our community — because of you. 

As we continue to grow our School of Medicine — recruiting new faculty, adding new cohorts of students and expanding residency programs — we ask for your financial support through the Faculty and Staff Giving Campaign. It’s a powerful reflection of your belief in our mission — and a personal investment in the future we’re building together.

Every gift, no matter the amount, will create an impact in the area of your choosing. A gift of $1,000 with higher recognition at $2,500, $5,000, and $10,000 will support our mission and ensure your name is proudly displayed on the Faculty and Staff Wall of Honor in the sky bridge linking the School of Medicine Building to the UTHET hospital. Flexible payment options, like payroll deduction or pledges up to five years, are available. Additionally, with your permission, we look forward to highlighting stories of giving on our School of Medicine Faculty and Staff Giving Campaign webpage.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership, your belief in our purpose, and your role in transforming healthcare in East Texas.

Susan M. (Sue) Cox, MD
Dean, School of Medicine

Sue Cox Signature

Steven W. Cox, MD
Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs
Steven Cox Signature

Kate Starnes
Vice President, Health Operations
Kate Starnes Signature

 

Ways to Give

You can make a one-time gift or pledge an amount and pay a schedule up to five years.

Make an Online Gift

If you are interested in making a gift via payroll deduction, please reach out to Sydnee Potter at spotter@uttyler.edu.

If you'd like to make your gift by check, please mail it to:

UT Tyler, University Advancement
3900 University Blvd.
Tyler, TX 75799

Please make checks payable to: "The University of Texas at Tyler"

Unless you indicate a specific purpose in your letter, your gift will be directed to the areas of greatest need at UT Tyler's School of Medicine, helping us support the programs and initiatives that make the biggest impact. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and support.

We welcome all questions about endowed or planned giving, as well as any other ways you might consider supporting UT Tyler. Please feel free to connect with us—our team is here to offer guidance and information, empowering you to make a gift that reflects your values and creates a lasting impact.

Jennifer "Paige" Stewart
Executive Director, Health Affairs
Email: jennifer.stewart@uttyler.edu or advancementservices@uttyler.edu
Phone: 832.425.7273

Frequently Asked Questions for Donors Giving to the 2026 SOM Faculty and Staff Campaign
 
1. How do I ensure my name is correct on the sign?
To ensure your name is listed and testimony is given as you prefer, please complete the following survey.  
 
2. What is the minimum giving level to be listed on the permanent sign in the SOM Building?
The minimum giving level for your name to appear on the permanent sign is $1,000.
 
3. What are the instructions to give via payroll deduction?
Please reach out to Sydnee Potter at spotter@uttyler.edu to assist with giving via payroll deduction. Please consider that the payroll deduction process must be completed two (2) weeks before the intended deduction month.
 
4. What is the difference between a pledge and an outright gift?
A pledge is a commitment to donate a set amount over time, while an outright gift is an immediate contribution of funds.
 
5. When will I receive my tax deduction letter?
You will receive your tax deduction within a few days after your gift is processed.
 
6. How long will it take to process my gift?
The processing time for your gift depends on the giving option you choose. If you give online, it is automated, and you will likely receive a letter within a week. For checks sent by mail, processing may take up to 1 to 2 weeks. For payroll deduction and checks sent by mail, processing may take up to 1 to 2 weeks.

7. How long will the campaign last?
The campaign will run from January 2026 to December 31, 2026.
 
8. When will the permanent sign be installed?
The permanent sign is scheduled to be installed in the spring of 2027, accompanied by a faculty and staff reception to reveal the sign. 

9. If I make a $1,000 gift toward the White Coat Ceremony, will I still be recognized on the Wall of Honor?
Yes. Any gift of $1,000 or more designated for the  White Coat Ceremony will be recognized on the permanent signage.

 

Example Payment Plans for Giving Levels of $1,000 or More

 

Giving Level Monthly Payment (3 Years) Monthly Payment (5 Years)
Builder $1,000 $27.78 $16.67
Creator $2,500 $69.44 $41.67
Innovator $5,000 $138.89 $83.34
Visionary $10,000 $277.78 $166.67

Skybridge Wall of Honor Recognition

Gifts make a lasting impact, and we are honored to recognize the generosity of our faculty and staff.
Gifts and pledges of $1,000 or more are eligible for recognition on the Skybridge Wall of Honor. To ensure your recognition is accurate and presented consistently, we invite you to complete a brief recognition form.

 

 

Funds Supported to Date

Aleksandra and Paul Detwiler School of Medicine Scholarship
Alzheimer's and Dementia Treatment Fund
Anesthesia Residency and Fellowship Programs
Biomedical Research Fund
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Department of Internal Medicine
Department of Neurology Fund
Rogers Department of Psychiatry
Department of Surgery
Research Council
School of Medicine Greatest Need
School of Medicine Research
School of Medicine Student Emergency Fund

Department of Women's Health
Emergency Medicine
General Surgery Residency/Fellowship Program
Health Affairs
MAC (Mycobacterium Complex) Research
Neurosurgery
Pediatric Pulmonary Fund
Department of Pediatrics
President's Council - Cabinet School of Medicine Fund
Pulmonary Critical Care Residency/Fellowship Program
School of Medicine Current Use Scholarships
School of Medicine Pathways Program
Susan M. (Sue) Cox MD and Doug Morris Endowed Scholarship
White Coat - School of Medicine

 

Featured Stories

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We give because East Texas students have big dreams and deserve every chance to chase them. After a lifetime of teaching and building programs, we’ve learned that talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t. Our scholarship is our way of saying ‘yes’—to open doors, ease burdens, and let students focus on becoming compassionate, capable physicians. If our giving inspires even one person to join us, the ripple will last for generations.

Sue Cox & Doug Morris

The School of Medicine is game changing for UT Tyler and for East Texas. I love that we have the opportunity to support this new building and this program.

Susan Rossman

Coming to East Texas was a choice rooted in a larger purpose. Supporting the Faculty and Staff Campaign allows us to invest not only in the UT Tyler School of Medicine, but in the future physicians who will serve the people of East Texas with compassion, excellence, and integrity.

Dr. Jarett and Ashleigh Berry

Giving to the School of Medicine’s neurology program is deeply personal to me, as neurological care touches so many families in East Texas, including my own. Access to specialized care close to home truly matters.

Amy Doherty

 

Faculty and Staff Campaign Champions

Join your colleagues listed below by making a gift of any size.

This page is updated weekly with new gifts and lists donors in chronological order.

Visionaries Innovators Creators Builders

Dr. Steven W. Cox & Shelli Cox

Dr. Susan M. Cox & Doug Morris

Kaela & Daniel Deslatte

Drs. Aleksandra & Paul Detwiler

Drs. Jenni & Jason Holman

Joanne & Steve Idell

Dr. Julie V. Philley & Richard Lee

Kimberly & Torry Tucker Sr.

The Upendran Family

Esther & Dr. Daren Yeager

Dr. Nabeel Ahmed

Susan & Bryan Rossman

Deborah & Karan P. Singh

Courtney & Shane Smith

Paige & Wade Stewart

Dr. Robert Tompkins & Debbie Tompkins

Shelly & Dave Warters

Dr. Sherilyn Willis & Mr. Patrick Healy

Ashleigh & Jarett Berry

Dr. Shilpa Chitnis & Rahul Chahal

Drs. Catherine & Emmanuel Elueze

Stephanie & Adam Fenter

Stephen Ford

Dr. Andrea Glaser & Dr. Seth Bellister

Dr. Jennifer R. Honda & Derek K. Espiritu

Dr. Monika Kumaraswamy & Joshua A. Johnson

Dr. Maolin Lu & Yang Han

Dr. Usha Pendurthi & Dr. Vijay Lella (Rao)

Dr. Chiagozie & Mrs. Okwuchi Nwasuruba

Dr. John Gregory Pogue &
Shannon M. Pogue

Jared Sexton & Juan Cerda

Dr. Valerie Borum Smith

Kate & Drew Starnes

Kirsten & Jake Ysasi

Dr. Gisele Armond Abron & Markeith Abron

Drs. Jayanthi & Vijay Boggaram

Dr. Dale J. Bradley

Megan Stuebner Devine

Amy & Chris Doherty

Dr. Stacy Echetebu & Anthony Echetebu

Drs. Kenya & Samuel Etim

Dr. Luis G. Fernández & Judith Ann Fernández

Dr. Xia Guo & Dr. Guoqing Qian

Christie & James Hazelwood

Jeannie M. Hurst

Orchel & Jaema Krier

Kathryn Lake

Vicky & Greg LaMay

Dr. Tuan D. Le & Thu Phan

Dr. Karen Lewis

Dr. Kevin Luttrell & Denise Luttrell

Dr. Lanessa Bass Malmberg

Dalia Nessim

Natalie & Jeff Noblitt

Callie & David Northcutt

Jordyn & Justin Pyne

Jennifer Rock

Dr. Buka Samten

Taylor & Justin Teague

Dr. Amy Tvinnereim & Lance Love

 


Contact University Advancement

Jennifer "Paige" Stewart
Executive Director, Health Affairs
Email: jennifer.stewart@uttyler.edu
Phone:
832.425.7273

 

Faculty and Staff Campaign Committee

Jeffrey Noblitt
Vice President for Marketing and CCO

Kate Starnes
Vice President for Operations - Health Affairs


Michelle Salge
Director of the Dean's Office

Nicolette Billups
Executive Director of University Marketing

Steven W. Cox, MD
President of University Practice Plan, Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs, Professor of Surgery

Susan M. (Sue) Cox, MD
Dean, School of Medicine