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 When Mark and Toula Guilfoyle first arrived at MSUCOM as students in 1980, they knew that the experience would change their lives, but perhaps they didn’t know how much. After all, they didn’t yet know each other.
Still, they met as first-years, and the rest, as they say, is history. By the time they graduated with the Class of 1984, they were already married. Both have since gone on to successful careers in osteopathic medicine. Mark is a board-certified radiologist and Toula is board-certified in family medicine. They live in the town of Sand Point, in the “thumb” of Michigan.
“Everything that we have, we owe to the college,” says Toula. “It is because of this school, that we have achieved so much.”
The Guilfoyles have certainly demonstrated their appreciation for their alma mater. They recently pledged a substantial gift of $100,000 to the college, to be used to refurbish the student lounge in the basement of Fee Hall. This is just one of several donations and planned gifts that they have made to the College of Osteopathic Medicine and to Michigan State. They have previously established the Guilfoyle and Milios Endowed Scholarship, and pledged an additional $200,000 to MSUCOM. Including gifts to the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Lyman Briggs School, they have pledged a total of $455,000 to MSU.
The Guilfoyle family history with MSU doesn’t end there. Their eldest daughter, Anastasia, is a freshman in Lyman Briggs. She is also a member of the Osteopathic Medical Scholars, an honors program for undergraduates who have demonstrated a strong interest in pursuing a career in osteopathic medicine. Her sister, Dorothea, is a senior in high school who has also been accepted to Lyman Briggs and plans to attend State in the fall.
Toula Guilfoyle sees big things in store for her daughters and MSUCOM. “We are amazed by what the college has done,” she adds, “and we know it can accomplish so much more.”
IN MEMORIUM
Holly Kabakovich, D.O. |
The memory of a former student is creating a lasting legacy at the College of Osteopathic Medicine. A $275,000 gift was recently presented to MSUCOM from the estate of George Kabakovich, the father of Holly Kabakovich, D.O., a 1986 graduate of the college.
Holly Kabakovich grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and earned a dual degree in biology and psychology from Loyola University before coming to MSUCOM. After graduation she completed her residency in the Department of Family Medicine, and she literally wrote the book on it, by helping to put together the residency manual and establish objectives for the program. She also received a master’s degree in public health from Harvard University.
Dr. Kabakovich passed away in 1995, but is remembered fondly by former classmates and friends. “She was a good student, very conscientious,” says Kay White, MSUCOM’s former associate dean for student services. “She was never too busy to help someone out.” Adds Pamela Thompson, D.O., Class of 1986, “She was a good friend.”
The money from the family trust will be used to set up a scholarship fund for future osteopathic students with an interest in family medicine. The gift was presented to the college by Dr. Kabakovich’s cousin, Carolyn Callerd, at the annual Silverfest celebration in September.
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