Medical college fund established to honor late WSU president Elson S. Floyd

The Dr. Elson S. Floyd Medical Education Founders Fund was established to honor the university’s late president, who died following a battle with cancer.

Established by the Washington State University Foundation in accordance with the Floyd family’s wishes, the new fund will support the accreditation, implementation and operation of the new WSU College of Medicine. Distributions from the fund will be at the discretion of the college’s dean.

“Washington State University would not be starting a medical school today without the vision and leadership of President Elson S. Floyd,” said John Gardner, Vice President for Advancement and WSU Foundation CEO. “His leadership was remarkable. From humble roots in rural North Carolina, he transcended race, class, and politics throughout his life. Although he rarely spoke of these experiences, they undoubtedly fueled his passion for greater access to quality medical care across Washington.”

Floyd considered the pursuit of the state’s second medical school a central part of WSU’s land-grant responsibility to serve the needs of the citizens, industries and communities across the state.

“Now is the time to address the physician shortage confronting a great many communities in our state,” Floyd said last fall of WSU’s efforts to establish the state’s second medical school. “We have a unique opportunity to further grow our state’s healthcare economy by fully utilizing the exceptional medical talent at WSU and by building on the tremendous investment made by the state and community in our research campus, WSU Health Sciences at Spokane.”

“President Floyd embraced the community’s vision and led the development of WSU Spokane as a health science education and research campus. He will be remembered as one of our city’s most transformative leaders,” said Lisa Brown, Chancellor of the WSU Spokane campus, already the home of the Colleges of Pharmacy and Nursing.

“Dr. Floyd was committed to identifying the needs of the people and communities across the state and positioning Washington State University to be responsive to those needs through education, research, and service,” said Dan Bernardo, Executive Vice President and Provost. “A fund that will be used to respond to the needs of WSU’s College of Medicine represents a fitting tribute to a remarkable man whose legacy of leadership will directly benefit WSU and the state we serve for generations to come.”

Contributions to the Dr. Elson S. Floyd Medical Education Founders Fundcan be made online here: https://secure.wsu.edu/give/default.aspx?fund=7521.

Inquires about the Dr. Elson S. Floyd Medical Education Founders Fund may be directed to Nancy Fike, Director of Development for WSU Health Sciences at Spokane (509-358-7616; nancy.fike@wsu.edu).