William F. Enneking, M.D., founding chair of the department of orthopaedics at the UF College of Medicine, and his wife, Margaret Enneking, charter member of the UF Medical Guild. Photo by Maria Belen Farias
In 1959, as the fledgling UF College of Medicine was establishing its roots, a group of faculty spouses created the UF Medical Guild, a program that cultivated service and friendship and has since become a substantial part of the college’s history.
More than 70 students, faculty, staff and guests joined guild members Nov. 30 at the Shands Cancer Hospital at the University of Florida’s Garden of Hope to celebrate the guild’s contribution to the college.
College of Medicine Dean Michael L. Good, M.D., acknowledged the guild members for their friendship and financial contributions, which amount to more than $1 million.
“For your tireless contributions and exceptional history of support, I express my deepest gratitude,” Good said. “Your philanthropy helps our students to ease their debt and generate hope in their future.”
The guild co-owns The Gift Stop with the Shands Hospital Auxiliary, using its share of the profits to fund various projects, scholarships and grants.
David S. Guzick, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president for health affairs and president of the UF&Shands Health System, and Philip Gilbo, a UF Medical Guild scholarship recipient. Photo by Maria Belen Farias
“Thank you for your kindness and generosity,” said Philip Gilbo, a member of the UF College of Medicine’s class of 2014 and a UF Medical Guild scholarship recipient. “You’ve helped hundreds of medical students achieve their dreams. I am grateful for people like you who put others before yourselves.”
Timothy Goldfarb, chief executive officer of Shands HealthCare, said the guild’s contributions to programs, such as Arts in Medicine and Streetlight, have touched the lives of patients and their families.
“Thank you for your consistent support which focused on patients, family and education,” he said.
Timothy Goldfarb, chief executive officer of Shands HealthCare, and Michael L. Good, dean of the UF College of Medicine, presented a framed stethoscope to UF Medical Guild President Diane Malphurs. Photo by Maria Belen Farias
As a sign of appreciation, Good and Goldfarb presented a framed stethoscope to guild President Diane Malphurs.
“We are thrilled to have been honored this way tonight,” Malphurs said. “I also want to thank all the husbands for the support they have given to their wives.”
Some of the UF Medical Guild’s founding members attended the event to celebrate the guild’s history.
“It is so very wonderful to be here tonight,” said charter member Margaret Enneking, wife of UF’s first chair of the department of orthopaedics William F. Enneking, M.D., and mother of the current chair of the department of anesthesiology and College of Medicine graduate, Kayser Enneking, M.D. “We are happy to know that our service to the college and the students is appreciated.”
Another charter member, Jean Smith, wife of Richard Smith, M.D., the college’s founding chair of the department of pediatrics, said this celebration brought back fond memories from the day the guild was established.
UF Medical Guild members, Cheryl Kays and Mary Benedict, attended the celebration event. Photo by Maria Belen Farias
“The great thing is that our organization is still here, actively doing things,” said founding member Mary Lou Eitzman, wife of retired UF neonatologist Donald Eitzman, M.D.
Danette Good, a member of the guild and Dean Good’s wife, said it is wonderful to see how the members have worked together for so long and that their programs continue to help the college.
“Today is a celebration of each other’s success and a treat for all of us,” she said.