FAU Receives Largest Scholarship Gift in University History

This afternoon, thanks to the enormous generosity of Ann and John Wood, I had the pleasure of announcing the largest scholarship gift in University history! The Woods, through their Fairfax Wood Scholarship Foundation, donated an incredible $28 million to support medical student education in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine.

Their gift also sets a record for the largest known scholarship donation to any Florida public university’s medical school. By making this remarkable contribution in memory of their son, Robert A. Wood, Ann and John aim to enable a debt-free medical education for all aspiring physicians who receive their training at Florida Atlantic University. Moreover, they hope to inspire others to support FAU’s College of Medicine as we work toward increasing the accessibility of a medical education while eliminating student debt.

This major gift from the Wood family builds upon several previous donations to the College of Medicine, in which they established the Robert A. Wood FAU Medical Scholars Fund. In 2021, the Woods committed to supporting 10 FAU medical students throughout all four years of medical school. Earlier this year, they doubled their commitment to benefit 20 additional medical students for a total of 30 students.

With Florida’s physician shortage expected to reach a deficit of nearly 18,000 by 2035, FAU is doing all that it can to alleviate the healthcare crisis for our state. In part, this shortage is a result of the financial barriers that stand between talented students and their ambitions. This purposeful gift from the Wood family helps breaks down those barriers, making the dream of becoming a doctor attainable.

Currently, FAU’s College of Medicine is ranked No. 35 for Most Diverse Medical Schools, No. 61 for Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas and No. 85 for Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas by U.S. News & World Report. With the opportunities that the Wood scholarships will provide, FAU’s standing in these rankings will continue to improve – expanding our influence and achievements in areas that truly matter.

Thank you, Ann and John Wood, for your profound commitment to Florida Atlantic University’s medical students. Your immense generosity will have an enduring impact on our University, the communities we serve, and the countless number of patients who will be cared for by FAU physicians.