The visionary generosity of Edward C. Fischer, MD, means that the Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society can rely on a cache of funding available to nimbly respond to areas of greatest need. Dr. Fischer established an unrestricted legacy bequest. This flexibility helps the Foundation direct funds to meet critical needs for medical students and physicians.
Dr. Fischer served as a Reading, Pa., radiologist, and was a kind and well-respected physician according to Raymond C. Truex, Jr., MD, FACS, FAANS, medical director, Pennsylvania Physicians' Health Program (PA-PHP). “When Dr. Fischer’s estate was probated, the Foundation was surprised at the magnitude of his bequest, placing him in the highest echelon of Foundation contributors,” he says.
According to his obituary, Dr. Fischer passed away July 30, 2015, at the Reading Hospital. He was the husband of Noni Fischer to whom he was devoted for nearly 53 years of marriage. He was born in Edinboro, Pa. Dr. Fischer attended Houghton College, in New York. He was a member of the Army Medical Corp and was stationed in Hawaii from 1958-1961. He studied pre-med at the Pennsylvania State University, and earned his MD at Temple University. He completed his residency in radiology at the Reading Hospital. He joined West Reading Radiology Associates in 1968 and went on to train many radiology residents through the years. He was active in the Eastern Radiological Society for many years and served as treasurer from 2004-2007. He retired from his practice in 1998.
Dr. Fischer left nearly $1 million to The Foundation that offers three hallmark service lines: the PA-PHP, LifeGuard, and Student Financial Services. “Dr. Fischer’s tremendous gift allows us to meet needs within these programs and empowers us to mobilize resources to address emerging concerns including physician well-being. We are incredibly humbled by Dr. Fischer’s philanthropic imprint that demonstrated his dedication to his fellow physicians across the Commonwealth,” says Foundation Executive Director Heather Wilson, MSW, CFRE, CAE, FCPP.
The Foundation offers unique estate planning opportunities to memorialize values and beliefs in the medical field. Donors can notify the Foundation of intent to leave a legacy gift so that the Foundation can direct funds to the programs or services of donor choice. And unrestricted gift helps the Foundation continually adapt to changing economic and regulatory constraints.
“It’s important to the Foundation to be aware of a donor’s intention to leave a legacy gift. This knowledge helps us to strategically plan for our financial stability, ensuring that the mission of the Foundation will continue to be stable and strong well into the future,” says Manager of Philanthropy and Hospital Relations Lori Storm. “Bequests can afford the donor the opportunity to make a future gift that is often the largest contribution they have made to support our programs,” she says. The Foundation is grateful for the generosity and foresight many donors demonstrate in the form of legacy gifts.
“When we are notified of your bequest intention, we are able to document your wishes and ensure that your gift will be well stewarded and held in the highest regard,” says Storm.
To learn more about how you can make an enduring gift like Dr. Fischer, please contact Manager of Philanthropy and Hospital Relations Lori Storm at (717) 558-7813.
The mission of the Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society is to provide programs and services for individual physicians and others that improve the well-being of Pennsylvanians and sustain the future of medicine.