The Ezekiel Hersey Council (EHC) recognizes alumni and friends who have created a life income gift, named HMS as a beneficiary of a retirement account or existing donor-advised fund, or included HMS in their will or trust.
Members receive invitations to special events and programs at HMS and throughout the country.
Ezekiel Hersey, a physician of Hingham, Massachusetts, graduated from Harvard College in 1728.
He became eminent in his profession and amassed a sizable fortune. Upon his death in 1770, he left his alma mater £1,000, with “the interest thereof to be by them appropriated toward the support of a professor of anatomy and physic” should such studies be undertaken at Harvard.
By this act of generosity, Ezekiel Hersey made the first gift that led to the creation of Harvard Medical School in 1782.
Many other bequests have followed Ezekiel Hersey's gift over the last two centuries. In honor of these alumni and friends who have made such commitments to the School through their wills and planned gifts, Harvard Medical School has created the Ezekiel Hersey Council. It is fitting that members of the Council should be identified with such an outstanding physician and benefactor.