SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A recent $150,000 gift from Simmons Hanly Conroy helped establish the Jerry Kruse, MD Medical Student Scholarship as an endowed fund, creating a lasting source of financial support for Southern Illinois University School of Medicine students.
The scholarship honors Dr. Jerry Kruse’s decades of service to SIU School of Medicine and his dedication to improving health care access throughout Illinois. Simmons Hanly Conroy joined other supporters in helping create the endowed fund, which will benefit medical students for generations to come.
“For many years, Dr. Kruse has helped shape the future of health care in Illinois through his leadership, service, and dedication to medical education,” said John Simmons, Chairperson and Founder of Simmons Hanly Conroy. “We are proud to support this effort in his honor and help aspiring physicians pursue their education so they can continue serving patients and communities across our state.”
The initiative also reflects the longstanding connection between Simmons and Kruse through Southern Illinois University. Both are from small-town Illinois communities and share a belief in hard work, community investment, and giving back. A longtime supporter of SIU, Simmons has served on the Board of Trustees for nearly two decades and has long championed the university through his philanthropy, including a gift that led to the naming of SIU Simmons Law School.
As dean of the SIU School of Medicine, Kruse has guided the institution’s medical mission and helped prepare future generations of physicians. For Simmons, supporting a scholarship in Kruse’s name is a meaningful way to recognize a fellow Southern Illinoisan whose leadership and commitment to education have created opportunities for others while extending that legacy to future medical students.
The need remains significant. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the United States is projected to face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, with rural and underserved communities among the hardest hit. The Jerry Kruse, MD Medical Student Scholarship will help support future physicians while advancing SIU School of Medicine’s mission to improve the health of people and communities across Illinois.
By supporting medical students, Simmons Hanly Conroy continues its longstanding commitment to investing in health, education, and opportunity throughout the state.
