Edward Kersh, MD
Education and Philanthropic Foundation
The Mission - A Personal Note
There comes a time in life, usually around retirement age and the appearance of grandchildren, when thoughts turn to ‘legacy’. We mostly think of legacy in terms of money or property we might pass on to our survivors, but there are also intangibles…principles, beliefs, and attitudes…that are often more valuable than the material things we may leave behind.
After thinking about my legacy, I realized that the ‘intangibles’ that define my forty years as a clinical practitioner and medical educator are at the heart of what I wish to honor and play forward with the establishment of the Kersh Foundation.
Professional excellence goes beyond knowledge, techniques, processes, and skills - It also requires the ability to form relationships with patients. I often find myself reminiscing about the patients who ultimately became my close friends. I also readily recall patients with unusual medical conditions who, as ‘case studies’, were as engaged and comfortable with my students as they were with me. By modeling sensitivity, intimacy, and connectivity, I was able to teach what I consider the essence of practicing medicine - the willingness to embrace the humanity and dignity of each and every patient, each and every time.
Establishing the Kersh Foundation has made it possible for me to create a legacy that reflects my commitment to medical education and the values that I hold dear by assisting the funding of organizations that provide the tools and training necessary to keep the bar high and within reach of those who dedicate their lives to the profession.
ABOUT DR. KERSH:
Dr. Edward Kersh is the retired Chief of Cardiology at St. Luke's Hospital, San Francisco. He served as a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth University, and Touro University.
Throughout his career, Dr. Kersh supported philanthropic efforts and has raised millions of dollars for health care charities.
Dr. Kersh was born in New York City and attended the State University of New York. He moved to San Francisco in 1972 to complete his training in Cardiology and then worked at San Francisco General Hospital until 1980 when he joined the staff of California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC). In 2001, he was appointed Chief of Cardiology at St. Luke's Hospital, which is now the Mission-Bernal Campus of CPMC. At St. Luke’s he established a training program for cardiology fellows, medical students, physician assistant and nurse practitioner students.
He retired from clinical practice in 2015 and is currently Medical Director for Home Health with Sutter Care at Home. He also serves as a consultant at the San Francisco Free Clinic.
Dr. Kersh has been honored with the Kaiser Foundation Teaching Award at UCSF in 2000, the Gold Headed Cane Award by the AOA Honor Society at UCSF in 2009, and the Outstanding Teacher Award in Cardiology at CPMC in 2013.
He was elected by his peers to Best Doctor’s in America.
CURRENT RECIPIENTS INCLUDE:
The visiting nurses and therapists of Sutter Care at Home
These ‘boots on the ground’ professionals, working in people’s homes under circumstances that are often challenging are heroes. The depth of knowledge, vigilance, and compassion they provide is invaluable - particularly in these transitional times when technology moves us closer to virtual medicine. Contributing to the funding of this organization assures that its high standards and values will be upheld.
The volunteers and staff of the San Francisco Free Clinic
The clinic provides care for people with no health insurance who cannot find help elsewhere. The clinic also offer training for medical students and residents. I have worked closely with them for decades and am grateful that the Kersh Foundation will provide funds for its continued service to the community.
The People's Clinic at San Francisco General Hospital
This clinic serves the most vulnerable and neglected residents of San Francisco while providing training to medical students and residents of UCSF. Employed here early in my career, I learned how to combine empathy with academic expertise….a valuable lesson that I strived never to forget. I am pleased that the Kersh Foundation can contribute to maintain its high quality of care.
University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine
The superior training provided to medical students at UCSF is world renowned. It is a privilege to include this institution on the list of recipients funded by The Kersh Foundation.
Make a donation
Please add to your legacy by contributing to mine
Preference will be given to distributing funds to those that provide medical education activities for students or their employees, but will not exclude other charitable non-profit organizations that operate for the public benefit, as per our mission.
All recipients will be tax-exempt public charities described in Section 509(a) (1), (2). or (3) of the IRS Code.
The source of our funds includes former patients, colleagues, friends, and family of Dr. Kersh, as well as Dr. Kersh himself.
The funds are invested under the direction of a 3rd party fiduciary in order to produce income which will be distributed annually with oversight by the Board of Directors.
The Foundation is recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization by the IRS and is certified by the California Registry of Charitable Trusts #CT0269556. All donations are tax deductible.
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
ek903@sbcglobal.net
Phone
(415) 307-0940