Williamsons' gift builds momentum, inspires colleagues' collaboration

This story originally appeared in the Summer 2021 edition of Promise magazine.

Jan and Dr. Jay Williamson

With the creation of the Family Medicine Residency Program Director’s Endowment Fund, the program’s third director, Dr. Jay Williamson, and his wife, Jan, added $50,000 from the Williamson Family Fund they had established just the year before in support of the residency program. The Williamsons and Dr. David Hoff and his wife, Linda, agreed that a combined effort would have greater impact. Their instincts were correct.

With strong support from former program directors and alumni from across the country, the endowed fund grew to $230,000 in just the first few months. 

Teaming up came naturally for the Hoffs and Williamsons who had a long history of friendship, living only a block apart for more than 40 years. As a former resident of the program, Dr. Williamson trained under Dr. Hoff, serving as his associate director for 12 years before becoming director.  

“What moved me the most at our 50th anniversary celebration,” said Dr. Williamson, “were former students telling me and the other directors, ‘You are the reason I went into family medicine.’” 

Click here to contribute to the Family Medicine Residency Program Director’s Endowment Fund or contact Barbara Boyce at 330.375.6356 or boyceb@summahealth.org.