UW Medicine in Seattle has announced commitments totaling $20 million from Steve and Connie Ballmer and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the creation of an endowed deanship.

The Ballmers and Gates Foundation each committed $10 million to establish the Paul G. Ramsey Endowed Deanship, named for the former CEO of UW Medicine and dean of the University of Washington School of Medicine, who retired in 2022 after 25 years. The endowment will provide funding for research projects, medical education, and student support programs and initiatives. Several families in the region have made additional philanthropic commitments to the deanship.

“Because of his deep commitment to the mission of UW Medicine, I can think of no better way to honor my friend, Paul Ramsey, than to ensure its future leaders have the resources they need to advance initiatives that make a meaningful difference to the health of all people,” said Steve Ballmer.

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