Donors Invest $34 Million in the Future of UT Health Sciences During Fiscal Year 2026

The University of Tennessee Health Sciences secured $34 million in philanthropic support during fiscal year 2026, reflecting growing momentum behind the institution and confidence in its mission to transform healthcare through education, training, clinical care, research and service. The total represents a 66% increase over the previous year's fundraising results.

As part of the University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc., the Office of Advancement connects donors with opportunities to invest in the future of UT Health Sciences. This year, more than 4,600 donors contributed to initiatives that expand scholarship opportunities, advance research and innovation, strengthen clinical care and training, improve campus environments and support programs that improve health in Tennessee.

"At UT Health Sciences, our mission is to transform health outcomes for Tennesseans and beyond," said Chancellor Peter Buckley, MD. "This record-setting year shows the many ways our supporters choose to engage with UT Health Sciences. Donors are embracing our mission in new ways, and the state's investment in transformational projects such as the College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building has reinforced that momentum."

Among the year's significant philanthropic investments were:

• Ronald Cowan, MD, PhD, a 1990 graduate of the College of Graduate Health Sciences and chair of the Department of Psychiatry, included estate gifts to establish and support the Dr. Ronald Cowan Psychiatry Resident Endowment, the Dr. Ronald Cowan Discretionary Endowment for Psychiatry, and, in honor of his parents, the Edward and Jewell Cowan Endowed Distinguished Chair in Psychiatry, all with the goals of advancing faculty excellence, enhancing resident education and support, and providing flexible funding for the department's most critical needs.
• Established through the collective generosity of many supporters, the R. Phillip Burns, MD, FACS Endowed Chair in Surgery will honor and sustain Dr. Burns' extraordinary legacy in surgical education and patient care. Once it reaches full endowment, it will be the first endowed chair at the College of Medicine - Chattanooga.
• The Dr. Audrey Tuberville Foshee Chair in Glaucoma Endowment, established through a gift from Dr. Foshee, a 1975 graduate of the College of Medicine, will support excellence in glaucoma research, education, and faculty advancement within the Department of Ophthalmology.
• John Bills, Jr., MD, '89 established The John Manning Bills, Jr. Scholarship Fund and Endowment. Income from the endowment will provide financial assistance to medical students facing significant financial need.
• The Bedford Falls Foundation and the Hanover Family Foundation made a significant investment in the UT Health Sciences College of Nursing to enhance student success initiatives. This support will remove financial hardships and other barriers, reflecting a commitment to strengthening the nursing workforce and supporting long-term retention within the profession.

"This year, we have seen remarkable growth in support from new institutional friends, foundations and community partners, while continuing to benefit from the strong and steadfast support of our alumni," said Melissa L. Robinson, DHA, chief development officer and associate vice chancellor. "The extraordinary generosity of our donors strengthens our ability to prepare the next generation of health professionals, advance discoveries that improve lives and expand our impact across Tennessee.

"Together, they are helping us build healthier communities and create a brighter future for all Tennesseans."