A Historic Investment That Shaped American Medicine
In the aftermath of World War II, American medicine stood at a crossroads. The war had accelerated technological innovation but revealed significant gaps in the nation's medical research infrastructure.
Meanwhile, a growing crisis was emerging in academic medicine: the most promising physicians and researchers were increasingly drawn toward private practice, lured by financial security that academia couldn't match. This brain drain threatened to stall the progress of American medical science at precisely the moment when its potential was greatest.
It was in this context that, in 1948, the John and Mary R. Markle Foundation launched a visionary program that would quietly reshape the American medical landscape for generations to come: the Markle Foundation Scholarships in Medicine. This ambitious initiative represented one of the earliest and most sophisticated attempts to address the systemic challenges facing academic medicine through strategic philanthropy.
Targeted funding for promising physicians at critical career stages
Enabled groundbreaking medical research across multiple disciplines
Created a multiplier effect through mentorship and leadership
The Markle Foundation Scholars program was notable for its strategic approach to philanthropy. Rather than simply funding research projects, it invested in people—specifically, early-career physicians who showed exceptional promise in academic medicine.
Scholars received $5,000 annually for five years—a substantial sum equivalent to approximately $55,000 per year in today's dollars when adjusted for inflation. This long-term support was crucial, providing financial stability that allowed researchers to focus on their work without constant grant-seeking pressures 4 .
Candidates had to hold faculty appointments at medical schools in the United States or Canada and demonstrate both exceptional achievement and future potential. The foundation specifically sought individuals likely to remain in academic medicine and become leaders in their fields 4 .
The selection committee employed a rigorous review process to identify candidates with the greatest potential for impact. By 1949, just two years after the program's inception, twenty-nine awards had been made, including thirteen new recipients announced that year 4 .
| Recipient Name | Field of Interest | Host Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Francis P. Chinard | Clinical chemistry and physiology | Johns Hopkins University |
| Dr. Don W. Fawcett | Microscopic anatomy | Harvard Medical School |
| Dr. Allan V. N. Goodyer | Internal medicine and cardiovascular disease | Yale University |
| Dr. George E. Moore | Surgery and oncology | University of Minnesota |
| Dr. W. Clarke Wescoe | Pharmacology | Cornell University |
| Dr. Donald R. Wilson | Internal medicine and endocrinology | University of Alberta |
The Markle Foundation Scholarships yielded exceptional returns on investment, both in terms of research advancement and leadership development in academic medicine.
29
Scholars by 1949
5
Years of Funding
$25K
Per Scholar (1948 value)
$275K
Value Today (adjusted)
Supported by the Markle Foundation while at the University of Minnesota, he pioneered surgical techniques and cancer research, later founding the Roswell Park Cancer Institute's Department of Surgery and making substantial contributions to oncology 4 .
A Markle Scholar at Cornell University, he made important advances in pharmacology before ascending to leadership positions, eventually becoming Chancellor of the University of Kansas and playing a pivotal role in expanding that institution's medical education programs 4 .
At Harvard Medical School, he became internationally recognized for his work in cellular biology and electron microscopy, producing foundational textbooks that educated generations of medical students 4 .
At Johns Hopkins University, his research in physiology and clinical chemistry contributed significantly to understanding kidney function and fluid balance in the human body.
"The enduring impact of the program extended far beyond the direct research outputs of the scholars themselves. By enabling these individuals to establish successful careers in academic medicine, the Markle Foundation helped create role models and mentors who would inspire and guide subsequent generations of physician-scientists."
Although the original Markle Scholars program in medicine concluded after making several dozen awards, the foundation's commitment to improving health care continued, albeit through different approaches.
Markle Foundation Scholarships Launch - The foundation begins its scholarship program to support early-career physicians in academic medicine, addressing the post-WWII brain drain from academia to private practice.
Program Expansion - By this year, twenty-nine awards had been made, including thirteen new recipients announced that year, demonstrating the program's rapid growth and impact 4 .
Scholarship Impact - Markle Scholars make significant contributions across various medical fields, with many becoming leaders in their institutions and professional organizations.
Strategic Pivot - The Markle Foundation shifts focus to health information technology, launching the Connecting for Health initiative to improve health care through information innovation 2 .
Policy Influence - The Markle Common Framework shapes health information policy, including provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 2 .
A public-private collaboration aimed at improving health and health care quality through innovations in information technology 2 . This initiative reflected the foundation's ability to identify emerging challenges and opportunities in the health care landscape.
Conceived by the Markle Connecting for Health Work Group on Consumer Engagement, this simple but revolutionary concept allowed Americans to easily download and transmit their personal health information. The Blue Button was adopted by major health institutions including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and major insurers 2 .
The research conducted by Markle Scholars in the mid-20th century relied on fundamentally different tools and methodologies than those available to contemporary scientists.
| Research Component | Mid-20th Century Approach | Contemporary Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Data Analysis | Manual calculations, basic statistical methods | High-throughput computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning |
| Imaging Technology | Light microscopy, early electron microscopy | Super-resolution microscopy, functional MRI, live-cell imaging |
| Molecular Analysis | Protein assays, basic chromatography | Genomic sequencing, proteomics, CRISPR gene editing |
| Collaboration | Local networks, conference attendance | Global virtual collaborations, data sharing platforms |
| Publication/Dissemination | Print journals, limited distribution | Open-access digital publishing, preprint servers |
| Reagent/Material | Primary Function in Research |
|---|---|
| Primary Antibodies | Specifically bind to target proteins for detection and characterization |
| PCR Enzymes & Master Mixes | Amplify specific DNA sequences for analysis and manipulation |
| Cell Culture Media | Support growth and maintenance of cells outside the living organism |
| Restriction Endonucleases | Cut DNA at specific sequences for genetic engineering |
| Gene Expression Arrays | Simultaneously measure expression levels of thousands of genes |
| CRISPR-Cas9 Systems | Precisely edit genomic sequences to study gene function |
| Mass Spectrometry Reagents | Identify and quantify proteins and metabolites in biological samples |
The Markle Foundation Scholarships in Medicine offer enduring lessons about the strategic support of science and medicine.
They demonstrate the transformative potential of investing in people rather than just projects. By providing talented individuals with both resources and validation at critical career stages, the program yielded benefits that extended far beyond the initial investment.
The program's history highlights the importance of adaptation in philanthropic strategy. As the Markle Foundation shifted its focus from individual scholarships to systemic health information technology initiatives, it maintained its fundamental commitment to improving health.
The story of the Markle Scholars reminds us that supporting the scientific ecosystem requires multiple complementary approaches. No single strategy sufficiently addresses the complex challenges of advancing medical knowledge.
Though the original Markle Scholarships belong to a specific historical moment, their legacy continues through the countless patients who have benefited from the research and clinical advances they made possible, and through the generations of scientists who followed in the footsteps of those original scholars. Their story represents both a remarkable chapter in the history of medical philanthropy and a source of inspiration for contemporary efforts to support the advancement of medicine.