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From Musician to Surgeon to Philanthropist
After spending the first part of her career as a professional musician, Phyllis Bleck, MD, DMA, went on to become an accomplished general and thoracic surgeon.
Dr. Bleck's unique path has shown how important it is to be dedicated to one's craft, solidifying her support of RUSH's commitment to its mission. In gratitude for her positive experiences as a student and resident at RUSH, Dr. Bleck has provided a wide range of philanthropic support, which began after her father, W. Fred Bleck, started making donations. She believes his generosity was inspired by pride in the work RUSH does and her own success as a surgeon.
"As a kid, I remember my father writing checks every year to the church and various causes like the local hospital," Dr. Bleck said. "So I learned early on how important it is to give back."
The W. Fred Bleck Scholarship Fund was established in 2005. Later, Dr. Bleck made additional contributions to endow the scholarship because she understood how important endowed scholarships are to RUSH and its students. She is creating a lasting legacy with annual IRA charitable rollover gifts.
Her support enables RUSH to fulfill its mission to provide the highest quality education, research, patient care and community outreach. In appreciation of her generosity, Dr. Bleck is recognized as a member of the RUSH Heritage Society, Anchor Cross Society and Benjamin Rush Society.
"RUSH is a unique institution with so many positives," Dr. Bleck said. "They let me know how important my contributions are to their mission. The faculty are committed to educating students, increasing research and making medicine better for everyone. I hope my support helps keep that dedication alive."
Learn more about Dr. Bleck's giving at rush.giftplans.org/bleck. |
