Opportunities to Give
Each fund has a link and QR code to easily direct you to the opportunity you want to support.
Daniel H. Lasser, MD, MPH
Family Medicine Education Innovation Fund
Daniel H. Lasser, MD, MPH served as Chair of Family Medicine and Community Health for nearly three decades, retiring in 2019. During this time, he led innovative programs across the department’s education, clinical practice, community health and research missions. The Daniel H. Lasser Family Medicine Education Innovation Fund will continue Dan’s legacy and support training the next generation of family physicians and an interdisciplinary healthcare team and serve as a catalyst for continued innovation.
TO GIVE: https://alumni.umassmed.edu/lasserinnovationfund 
Warren J. Ferguson, MD
Community Health Visiting Professor Fund
Warren J. Ferguson, MD is a leader in community health, and served as the Executive Vice Chair and first Vice Chair of Community Health in the department. He also served as the medical director for the MassAHEC Network. When he retired in 2023, the decision was made to create an annual visiting professorship in community health. This is a one-day visit from a distinguished guest to lead Grand Rounds and meet with students and residents to further the department's mission of providing care to our communities.
TO GIVE: https://alumni.umassmed.edu/fmchfund
Steven L. Putterman Memorial
Medical Student Scholarship Fund
Steven Putterman, MD and his father died in a plane crash in 1999 while vacationing in Tanzania. Steve had just accepted the Associate Program Director position for the Worcester Family Medicine Residency. He was a bright, energetic and optimistic young leader who showed tremendous potential. The family established a needs-based tuition scholarship which is awarded annually to a medical student who exhibits Steve passion for medicine and desire to serve all.
The annual Grand Rounds Steven L. Putterman Lecture, and meetings with faculty, students and residents reinforce the interplay between the disciplines of Family Medicine and Community Health. These are fitting memorials to the Puttermans, who shared a love of travel and commitment to multi-cultural destinations.
TO GIVE: https://alumni.umassmed.edu/putterman
Huppert Community Health Scholars Award
Mick Huppert, MPH was a faculty member who passed away in 2017. Mick worked across professions and schools and left a legacy of community health improvement initiatives and public health spirit in our communities and our state, as well as in our hearts and department. He had an unwavering passion for addressing community health needs and for passing this passion along to students and colleagues. The Huppert Community Health Scholars Award is given to a medical student to engage in community health, community engagement, and leadership opportunities, mentored by the Vice Chair of Community Health.
TO GIVE: https://alumni.umassmed.edu/fmchfund
Zand Refugee Fund
The annual Thomas Zand Initiatives include three distinct parts:
The Thomas Zand Visiting Professor in Refugee Health is invited to spend a day meeting with faculty, staff and learners, speaking at Grand Rounds, and participating in a community celebration. The Thomas Zand Refugee Health Scholarships support medical students passionate about refugee health and allow them to attend a national refugee health conference. The Thomas Zand Partner Recognition Award recognizes the work done by Worcester community organizations working with newly arriving refugees and immigrants.
TO GIVE: https://alumni.umassmed.edu/ZAND