A Legacy That Opened the Door to Medical School

Planned gifts for scholarship funds build pathways for students who will carry a donor’s legacy forward. The Robert L. Frey Scholarship Fund is doing exactly that for Stephanie Larson (’26), a medical student at MCW–Central Wisconsin, whose path into medicine was shaped by both circumstance and determination.

Stephanie grew up in a rural community, raised by a mother who worked tirelessly so her daughter could pursue an education. She became the first in her family to attend college, eventually earning a PhD in English and a certificate in bioethics. Her work in clinical ethics placed her at the bedside during some of healthcare’s most difficult moments – and revealed a deeper calling. She wanted to care for patients earlier, not only in crisis.

Her opportunity to do that underscores why philanthropy-funded scholarships are vital to Wisconsin’s health care future. In the last year alone, 306 MCW students received $3.07 million in scholarship support from 180 active funds, helping reduce barriers to medical education and sustaining the physician pipeline. This support directly benefits patients and families in communities across the state.

“Because of (Mr. Frey’s) generosity, I can now pursue my calling to serve as a family medicine physician in rural Wisconsin without the stress, worry, and burden of debt.”

The Frey Scholarship made medical school possible and opened the door for Stephanie to shift from ethics consultation into hands-on care. Her goal is clear: return to rural Wisconsin, practice family medicine, and combine her humanities background, ethics expertise, and medical training to strengthen community health.

“As a recipient of the Robert L. Frey Scholarship, I will honor Mr. Frey’s legacy through my academics, service, patient care, and mentorship of the next generation of rural family medicine physicians.”

Planned gifts are powerful because they carry a donor’s hopes into the future. Mr. Frey’s scholarship is doing exactly what he intended: opening doors for students who will serve others with skill and compassion. Stephanie is one of them – a future rural physician whose path has been shaped by a gift made long before she arrived at MCW.

Interested in establishing a scholarship fund through a planned gift? Contact Suzanne McCoy, Philanthropic Advisor and Senior Director of Development at smccoy@mcw.edu or by calling (414) 955-4514.