Dr. Mark Zwanger says the $100,000 donation, which the university matched, is in honor of his and his husband's parents, who always supported the men’s dreams of pursuing careers in medicine and finding personal happiness.
Zwanger says he knows that’s not always the case with men and women in the LGBTQ community.
“I also know of many individuals who have not had family who have been supportive, and kicked out their children when they find out they might be members of the LGBTQ community," Zwanger said.
He said, for him and his husband, Dr. Malcolm Kram, it’s a way to help those less fortunate, and they encourage others to do the same.
“My parents have never put me in a situation of not being accepting of what I have done with my life,” Zwanger said. "I’m sure they might have been somewhat disappointed initially, because every parent wants what they view as best for their children as well as what their idolized view of their life should be."
Zwanger is a former Thomas Jefferson University emergency medicine faculty member. His husband, Dr. Malcolm Kram, is a veterinarian. Now, they are giving others the support they have always enjoyed.
So far, four students have benefited from the scholarship, which is awarded to LGBT students who pursuing careers in medicine.