A $5 million donation has created the Steven and Donna Overly Scholarship to be used for tuition assistance for medical students at the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville.
The bequest is the largest single scholarship gift that UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville has received, according to a Sept. 19 news release.
The UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville is part of the UF Health – Jacksonville hospital in Springfield.
“We are so grateful for their enthusiastic support of our students and trust in our medical education programs,” said Linda Edwards, dean of the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville, in the release.
“They understand that private gifts are an incredible resource for institutions such as ours, and I am deeply thankful for their commitment to UF.”
Steven Overly has law degrees from both Stetson University College of Law and Georgetown University Law Center. He has held leadership roles with General Electric, Lockheed Martin, American Casino & Entertainment Properties and Textron.
Donna Overly is a painter and published novelist. She received her bachelor’s in studio art from the University of Texas, Austin, following a 20-year career in critical care nursing.
The Overlys said they hope the scholarships will be used by medical students wanting to provide public or rural health care, education or research.
“While an education at the University of Florida will enable students to secure well-paying positions upon graduation, we know the debt burden is a significant influence when it comes to choosing between private or public practice,” Donna Overly said.
“Through our scholarship, we hope to reduce that debt for deserving students in our community.”