Alumnus and Spouse’s Bequest Impacts CMS Students

Chicago Medical School received a generous $2.65 million bequest from the estate of the late Bohdan J. Giel, MD ’40, and his wife, the late Martha Barclay-Giel. This estate gift was established as a way to honor the school that had provided a life and livelihood to Dr. Giel. These funds will begin to address the student scholarship needs of CMS and allow students to pursue their medical passions undeterred by financial obligations.

After graduation from CMS in 1940, Dr. Giel began his career in industrial medicine at Elwood Ordinance Plants Medical Clinic in Joliet, IL, and transitioned to internal medicine in the early 1950s. He served as a medical officer in World War II and earned commendation medals from the U.S. Public Health Service in 1972 and U.S. Coast Guard in 1974. Mrs. Giel, who passed away last year, was a captain and a commissioned officer in Uniformed Service with the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. The couple retired to Fort Myers, FL, in 1978, where they volunteered for many years at the Senior Friendship Center Medical Clinic.

“This gift is tremendous because it will impact the lives of many CMS students and allow them to pursue their passions within the field of medicine,” said Chad Ruback, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Rosalind Franklin University. Rosalind Franklin University and the students of Chicago Medical School are honored to receive this most thoughtful gift and recognize the late Dr. Giel and Mrs. Barclay-Giel for their spirit of gratitude and generosity.