ST. LOUIS — (March 11, 2025) The Saint Louis University School of Medicine has been awarded a transformational $10 million gift, marking one of the largest and most impactful contributions in the School’s history.

The donation comes from a patient who wishes to remain anonymous in honor of Gerald A. Maguire, M.D. (SOM ’91). The accomplished California-based psychiatrist has also personally pledged $100,000 to support his alma mater.

“We are deeply grateful for this remarkable generosity, which will help us train future physicians who, like Dr. Maguire, provide exceptional, compassionate care and embody the Ignatian principle of cura personalis — care for the whole person,” said Christine K. Jacobs, M.D., dean of the School of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs.

The $10 million donation will be strategically allocated to enhance medical education and research at SLU:

• $3 million will establish the Gerald A. Maguire, M.D., and Joanne S. Maguire School of Medicine Cura Personalis Endowed Deanship, ensuring the school can continue to attract and retain visionary leaders committed to advancing SLU’s mission in medical education and patient care.
• $2 million will fund the Gerald A. Maguire, M.D., and Joanne S. Maguire Endowed Chair in Neuropsychiatry Research and Education, supporting groundbreaking research and academic excellence in mental health.
• $5 million will be directed toward a future state-of-the-art Health Education Center to enhance the educational and training experience for students.

Maguire is the director of residency training in psychiatry at College Medical Center, an urban teaching hospital in Long Beach, California, and the faculty director of graduate medical education at Oroville Hospital, which serves his rural home community in Northern California. 

Co-author of “Without Hesitation: Speaking the Silence and Science of Stuttering,” Maguire is considered the world’s leading authority on the pharmacologic treatment of stuttering. He founded the world’s first clinic dedicated to the scientific study and medical treatment of the condition, which affects more than 80 million people worldwide. 

“As a person who stutters, I am forever grateful to Saint Louis University School of Medicine for believing in my potential as a physician beyond my challenges with verbal communication,” Maguire said. “The SLU School of Medicine provided me a foundational education not only in the science of medicine but also the arts and ethics to practice and teach in my profession.” 

The milestone philanthropy comes at an important moment for the School of Medicine as it pursues the ambitious goals of its 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes excellence and innovation in education, research, clinical care and community engagement.

“This legacy investment will help us accelerate our efforts to be the medical school of choice for those committed to improving the health of the communities we are privileged to serve,” Jacobs said. “We hope it inspires others to join us in advancing our mission and shaping the future of medical education, research and health care at Saint Louis University.

For more information about supporting the SLU School of Medicine, visit slu.edu/medicine/give-to-medicine.

About the Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Established in 1836, the Saint Louis University School of Medicine has the distinction of awarding the first medical degree west of the Mississippi River. The school educates physicians and biomedical scientists, conducts medical research, and provides health care on a local, national and international level. Research at the school seeks new cures and treatments in key areas, including infectious disease, liver disease, cancer, heart/lung disease, and aging and brain disorders.