Creative Ways to Support Anesthesiology Research and Education

Thomas M. Bruckman, Executive Director
Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research

TThose of us involved in the ongoing quest to advance the science of anesthesiology are indeed fortunate to have the correct ingredients available for a successful outcome. Without these components, it would be much tougher to build a case for continuing support of anesthesiology research and education.

Those ingredients are:

1. Anesthesiology projects needing significant support that are worthwhile and peer reviewed;

2. An active and engaged anesthesiology community eager to reinvest in the profession of its specialty;

3. Programs and systems that will help to transfer support efficiently from the donors to the beneficiaries;

4. Creative alternatives for channeling ongoing support.

While the first three ingredients are very important, many of our donors rely on creative means to help support anesthesiology research and education. Recently the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) has been the fortunate recipient of two such thoughtful and strategic initiatives.

The first such initiative came from the estate of Gertie F. Marx, M.D. (1912-2004), the anesthesiologist whose legendary accomplishments were profiled in the April ASA NEWSLETTER. Dr. Marx remembered FAER along with several other specific bequests in her estate plan. Dr. Marx had made a previous substantial gift to FAER, which has been used per her instructions. The sum total of her generosity will be used to help supplement FAER’s research efforts in Dr. Marx’s designated subspecialty, obstetric anesthesiology. FAER will announce the winners of the Gertie Marx Research Award as soon as they are awarded.

The second very creative initiative came from the Fred J. Brotherton Charitable Foundation. This New Jersey-based foundation has generously agreed to support a one-year FAER-approved research project in its geographic territory as soon as a mutually agreeable project can be identified. Given FAER’s broad geographic appeal and high quality of applications from various sources, it is expected that this funding will begin this calendar year. FAER is very appreciative of the efforts of the Brotherton Foundation trustees and thanks them for their interest in anesthesiology research and training.

Aside from these two very special and recent gifts, FAER is set up to handle much more than our most popular gifting vehicle — the annual donation or pledge. FAER has seen an increase in the amount of activity surrounding charitable bequests, which are given through a last will and testament.

When you think of including FAER in your will, the outright bequest usually comes to mind first. An outright bequest can take various forms:

• The general bequest is probably the most popular. One simply leaves a specified dollar amount to FAER. For example, a specific bequest of $10,000 constitutes a general bequest.

• A specific bequest is another popular way to help anesthesiology research and education. One designates a specific property; for example, a specified stock, financial investment or other property that can be held by FAER for designated purposes or liquidated at one’s behest.

• A residuary bequest is used to give a portion of one’s property after ensuring that other beneficiaries receive their bequests prior to the charitable bequest to FAER.

• A percentage bequest can be expressed as a percentage of an estate or residuary estate. For example, a donor may leave 10 percent of the estate to anesthesiology research. If the ultimate size of the estate changes over the years, the bequest will change in the same proportion.

• A contingent bequest is used to provide for the situation when one’s beneficiary predeceases one or disclaims the property. This helps to provide that the property will pass to one’s choice of charities rather than to unintended beneficiaries.

If you are considering making a creative gift to anesthesiology, please contact ASA for a free booklet, “Planning Your Bequests.”  While ASA does not offer advice on estate planning or other forms of planned giving, this information can be helpful to you and your financial planner.  Copies can be obtained by contacting ASA Assistant Executive Director Denise M. Jones at (847) 825-5586 or e-mail <d.jones@ASAhq.org>.  To discuss specific ideas for gifting to FAER, please call (507) 266-6866. 

Thomas M. Bruckman became FAER Executive Director in 2003. Previously he was Executive Director and CEO of the American Foundation for Urologic Disease.

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