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Richard Gambescia, M.D. and Ruth Rizzo Savarese Gambescia, M.D.
Richard Gambescia, M.D. and
Ruth Rizzo Savarese Gambescia, M.D.
Couple Makes Double the Difference for Future Students
Richard Gambescia, M.D., HU '71 and Ruth Rizzo Savarese Gambescia, M.D., HU '77 have each established a scholarship through their individual estate plans for incoming medical students to Drexel University College of Medicine. "I got a tremendous medical education [at Hahnemann]," says Rizzo, the first woman to complete her surgical training at Hahnemann. "And I don't want to see that leave."
They may seem extraordinary but their story no different from other Hahnemann alumni. They appreciate their education and the hospital's supportive, collegial environment and thusly chose to safeguard this tradition for future generations and become custodians of this important legacy.
Dr. Rizzo honors her late first husband, Ronald Savarese, M.D., HU '68. Around the time Drexel was assuming leadership of Hahnemann, Rizzo, who by then had married Gambescia, wanted "to give back." Richard suggested a scholarship to the medical school. In the same way, Dr. Gambescia honors his father and uncle — Pasquale Gambescia and Joseph Gambescia — fellow Hahnemann alumni with "The Gambescia Family Endowed Scholarship."
They are glad students still use Hahnemann University Hospital. "I think the alums have to be active in supporting that [vision], in supporting the institution…. It's still the medical school that we knew and really loved."