Gillian Steinhauer

The late Bruce W. Steinhauer, MD ’59, can’t be described in just a few words. Instead, his life is best represented through his actions. Known for his dedication to making house calls to patients throughout his illustrious 60-year career, he believed in providing care to everyone, regardless of their status. His commitment to patient care and community service set him apart, embodying a remarkable level of dedication to the field of medicine.

In honor of her husband’s enduring legacy, Gillian Steinhauer has made a $1 million commitment to Harvard Medical School through two charitable gift annuities (CGAs). The Bruce W. Steinhauer, MD Scholarship Fund will ensure that promising students from all backgrounds can access the impactful education that Bruce himself received at HMS, irrespective of their financial circumstances.

Reflecting on her husband’s experience, Gillian says: “Bruce received an excellent education, which greatly benefited him throughout his medical career. I wanted to support medical students so they can attend Harvard, even if they might not otherwise have the financial means to do so.”

Raised with the belief that philanthropy is a duty, Gillian shares, “We needed to give 10% either to church or to charity. That’s just the way I grew up.” Although Bruce was initially surprised by this concept, he wholeheartedly embraced it, and together, they built a life centered on generosity throughout their 63-year marriage.

Gillian’s journey with CGAs began somewhat unexpectedly when, as a Bryn Mawr College alumna volunteer, she was tasked with encouraging her classmates to consider planned giving. “I looked at it as a retirement plan,” she explains. “I’m getting money I may need right now to live, but when I no longer need it, the medical school will benefit.” This strategic approach allowed her to make significant contributions while also planning for her future, making her a steadfast advocate for CGAs ever since.

By supporting HMS, Gillian not only honors Bruce’s lifelong dedication to medicine but also hopes to inspire others to consider using life income gifts as a way to create lasting educational opportunities. She understands the far-reaching impact such support can have, affecting individual students as well as the medical field as a whole.

In celebrating this gift, HMS Dean for Medical Education Bernard S. Chang, AB ’93, MD, MMSc ’05, expressed profound gratitude: “We are immensely thankful for Gillian Steinhauer’s generous gift in honor of her husband, Bruce, a distinguished alumnus. This scholarship fund will ensure that future generations of HMS students are equipped to follow in Bruce’s footsteps, continuing the tradition of excellence and compassionate care that he exemplified.”