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Rabbi Morris I. Esformes
(center) |
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Grateful patients at the University
of Chicago Medical Center have allowed major advancements
in science and medicine to become the rule—not
the exception—at Chicago. In December, Rabbi
Morris Esformes, a grateful patient and friend of
the University, gave $2.5 million to support the Rabbi
Morris I. Esformes Professorship, which will benefit
endocrinology, pediatric surgery, gastroenterology,
and radiation/oncology.
Rabbi Esformes is a strong advocate
for the excellent health care and research that defines
Chicago. An extraordinary philanthropist, he gives
40% of his annual salary to charitable causes. For
each of the areas that will benefit from the Rabbi
Morris I. Esformes Professorship, the Rabbi had many
personal reasons for wanting to give back.
In the mid 1990s, the Rabbi’s
daughter developed a mysterious metabolic condition.
As a personal friend of renowned endocrinologist,
Roy Weiss, MD, PhD, the Rabbi did not hesitate to
bring her to Dr. Weiss’s clinic. So pleased
was he with Dr. Weiss’s expertise, the Rabbi
made his first gift to the University to support his
laboratory.
The turning point, however, in
Rabbi Esformes’s philanthropic endeavors at
Chicago came after he was diagnosed with cancer two
years ago. He was treated successfully by doctors
and nurses in the Department of Radiation and Cellular
Oncology and wanted to show his appreciation. “The
University of Chicago is a very special place, and
I am extremely grateful to the nurses, doctors, and
staff who helped me during my treatment,” says
Rabbi Esformes.
At the encouragement of a close
friend and grateful patient of Dr. David Rubin, the
Rabbi made a gift to the Section of Gastroenterology
in recognition of the fine clinicians he was fortunate
to know.
As his relationships with these
clinicians developed, the Rabbi began referring friends
and associates with rare conditions to Chicago. Early
in 2004, the Rabbi learned that the daughter of one
of his employees was suffering from a debilitating
facial tumor, which affected her speech, eating patterns,
and social development. Within a few days, doctors
arranged for the young girl to be seen by pediatric
surgeon, McKay McKinnon. His referral paid off. The
little girl’s surgery was successful, and she
has returned to a normal life.
Sometimes all it takes is word
of mouth to be touched by breakthroughs in science
and medicine at Chicago. The Rabbi himself was introduced
to the University by a friend, Seymour Abrams, who
has also given generously to the Division of the Biological
Sciences and the Medical Center. “Rabbi Esformes
and I have been friends for about 35 years. We are
both personally familiar with the experienced talents
of the Medical Center’s physicians,” says Abrams.
Elaborating on the theme of philanthropy, Abrams says,
“If someone needs help, we try to be there.
We share our good fortune with others.”
It is the hope of the Rabbi
that his gift will help spread the word about the Medical Center’s team, and encourage other philanthropists,
especially in the Orthodox Jewish community, to follow
his lead in giving to science and medicine at the
University of Chicago.
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