Former Pediatrics Professor Donates $1 Billion to Make Albert Einstein College of Medicine Tuition-Free

A $1 billion donation makes Albert Einstein School of Medicine tuition-free for all students, thanks to Dr. Ruth Gottesman.

Dr. Ruth Gottesman, a former professor at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in Bronx, New York, has made a groundbreaking decision that will change the lives of medical students forever. With a generous $1 billion donation, she has ensured that all students at Einstein will attend tuition-free, starting in August of this year. This monumental gift, the largest ever made to any medical school in the country, means that no Einstein student will have to pay tuition going forward.

The average medical school graduate owes a staggering $250,995 in total student loan debt, and students at Einstein are no exception, with nearly half owing more than $200,000 for their medical school education after they graduate. However, Gottesman's unprecedented donation will alleviate this financial burden for future generations of medical students at Einstein.

The decision to make Einstein tuition-free in perpetuity was born out of a $1 billion inheritance that Dr. Gottesman received from her late husband, who left her with Berkshire Hathaway stock and the instruction to "Do whatever you think is right with it." After careful consideration, she chose to donate the entire amount to Einstein, on the condition that the school not change its name to honor her gift.

Having been associated with Einstein for over 55 years, Dr. Gottesman has made significant contributions to the institution, including leading efforts to screen, evaluate, and treat learning problems in children at Einstein's Children's Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (CERC). She also started the first-of-its-kind Adult Literacy Program and founded the Emily Fisher Landau Center for the Treatment of Learning Disabilities at CERC. Currently, she serves as Clinical Professor Emerita of Pediatrics (Developmental Medicine) at Einstein and chairs the board of trustees.

In a press release, Dr. Gottesman expressed her gratitude for the privilege of making such a significant gift to Einstein, thanking her late husband for the opportunity. Her colleagues have also praised her extraordinary and unprecedented gift, recognizing her selfless determination and transformational philanthropy. Dan Tishman, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Montefiore Einstein, stated that she will have the lasting gratitude of all who choose to train and learn at Einstein.

Dr. Ruth Gottesman's historic donation has not only made medical education more accessible but has also set a new standard for philanthropy in the field of education. Her generosity will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the future of medical education at Einstein, ensuring that aspiring physicians can pursue their dreams without the burden of exorbitant student loan debt.

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