A historic endowed deanship will honor retired Dean Paul G. Ramsey, M.D., with leadership gifts from Steve and Connie Ballmer and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Each donated $10 million to advance research discoveries, train medical leaders and further excellence and equity in healthcare. The $20 million in philanthropic support makes this the largest, publicly announced medical school deanship in the country.

Dr. Ramsey served as CEO of UW Medicine and dean of the UW School of Medicine from 1997 to 2022.

“We are deeply grateful to Steve and Connie Ballmer and the Gates family for their visionary investment in the UW School of Medicine,” said UW President Ana Mari Cauce. “Through this endowment, future School of Medicine deans will have valuable resources to help improve health for everyone, here in our community and around the world.”

“Dr. Ramsey has been an extraordinary leader, a trusted physician, a dedicated mentor, and a cherished friend. We are pleased to be able to honor Paul’s contributions to advancing health equity in our community in this way,” said Bill Gates.

The endowment will provide a stable source of funding to advance the mission, goals and reputation of the UW School of Medicine, including research projects, medical education and student support programs and initiatives that further excellence and equity in healthcare. Several generous families in the region have made additional philanthropic commitments to the deanship.