Former Department of Surgery colleagues of the late Laurence H. Coffin, M.D., joined by family and friends, have established a $100,000 endowment in his honor to support medical students at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and early-career physicians at The University of Vermont Medical Center who are advancing surgical research and education.

Coffin served nearly 30 years as a surgeon at the UVM Medical Center and professor at the UVM College of Medicine, and is credited with establishing Vermont’s first successful cardiac surgical practice. Coffin also served for many years as chief of cardiac surgery. 

The Laurence Coffin, MD Award Endowment will generate an annual award to a medical student, resident, fellow, or attending physician who is less than three years from the completion of his or her training. 

Eligible projects include:

• Translational or clinical research with an outcomes-based and quality-improvement focus.
• A plan to share new knowledge with the Department, Medical Center, College, or the field of surgery in general.

“This fund will play a critical role in achieving the department’s goal to enhance patient care through the advancement of biomedical knowledge, and to employ cutting-edge technologies to pursue new therapeutic breakthroughs,” says Mitchell Norotsky, M.D., professor and chair of surgery at the UVM Medical Center and College of Medicine.

“This is a fitting way to honor Dr. Coffin, who had great enthusiasm for research and for sharing any innovations with colleagues, students, patients and their families,” says Frank Ittleman, M.D., division chief of cardiothoracic surgery and professor of surgery at the College of Medicine.
                                                                            
Each award recipient will receive a profile of Coffin so that they are connected to his legacy and vision for the field of surgery.

For information on how to contribute, contact Kevin McAteer, chief development officer for health sciences, at (802) 847-5566.