It all started with a phone call in 1963. Samuel Hinkle, a 1922 Penn State College of Science graduate, who went on to become president of the Hershey Chocolate Corporation and head of the philanthropic Hershey Foundation, called and invited then Penn State President Eric Walker to meet with him in Hershey.

At the meeting, Hinkle suggested that the University should establish a medical school and teaching hospital. Walker’s response to Hinkle’s suggestion: "Sam, it costs a lot of money… You and I are country boys. We can’t imagine how much - millions!" Hinkle’s reply: "How many?" "Fifty," said Walker. "I think we can get it," said Hinkle and they did, with thanks to a generous founding gift from the Milton S. Hershey Trust. Since then philanthropy and other forms of financial support have distinguished Penn State Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine as the only academic medical center as well as the only Level One Trauma Center between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, serving over 600,000 patients annually.

Learn more about how Penn State College of Medicine supporters have created scholarships to help train future physicians and scientists like Logan Houlihan.

Through the generosity and thoughtful philanthropy of our grateful patients, alumni, corporations, foundations, and other friends, we continue to strengthen the quality of a medical education for current and future students, serve our community and enhance the quality of life through improved health care services and the discovery of knowledge.

Each year, our donors generously provide important support for equipment, new and improved facilities, endowed scholarships, and funding for life-saving research. Numerous individuals, organizations, and corporate sponsors join together in support of Children's Miracle Network and The Four Diamonds Fund—two organizations that focus entirely on childhood illness and health care. Special events such as the Jake Gittlen Memorial Golf Tournament raise important support for cancer research.