Giving

The University of Rochester is home to one of the nation’s leading Otolaryngology departments. Charitable donations play a large role in creating opportunities for our doctors and researchers, and for our community to receive the best care possible. Gifts of any amount support our mission of improving health through caring, discovery, teaching and learning.

Use this giving form to make a gift to Otolaryngology supporting multiple funds.

Make a Gift

Current-Use Funds

When you direct your charitable gift, of any amount, into your choice of these funds, your investment will make an immediate impact.

Otolaryngology General Fund

This fund supports patient care, education and research across all Otolaryngology in an unrestricted manner.  This fund is a primary source to support educational needs of our trainees. Our competitive Otolaryngology residency program trains the next generation of otolaryngologists in a forward-thinking environment that emphasizes curiosity and discovery.

Support to our general fund can be earmarked for education to support of surgical training labs, guest speakers and other educational activities.  The general fund also supports the general needs of the department in efforts to improve patient care, safety and health equity in Rochester and the Finger Lakes region.

Give to the Otolaryngology General Fund

Endowment Funds

The best way to ensure your legacy gift makes a difference in perpetuity is to invest in an endowment fund.

Dr. Arthur Hengerer Otolaryngology Endowment

The Hengerer Endowment Fund was created by former department chair (1989-2007) and fellowship-trained pediatric otolaryngologist Arthur Hengerer, M.D., who retired in 2018. During his 37-year career at URMC, he grew Otolaryngology from a smaller division of the Department of Surgery to a full-service department of its own, and opened the doors to our Clinton Woods outpatient clinic in 2003.

This fund honors Dr. Hengerer’s passion for pediatric otolaryngology. UR Medicine is home to our region’s only pediatric Otolaryngology clinic. We are also the only Otolaryngology practice in the region to offer team-based multidisciplinary care for a variety of conditions, including complex tracheostomy and ventilator care, aerodigestive disorders, and fetal anomalies requiring complex delivery plans.

Our pediatric Otolaryngology team and its collaborators are also actively involved in research to advance our field’s understanding and treatment of ENT-related disorders among children. Our physicians regularly publish or co-author journal articles, book chapters and clinical guidelines.

Donations to this fund support research and clinical activities in Pediatric Otolaryngology, helping children in our community.

Give to the Dr. Arthur Hengerer Otolaryngology Endowment Fund

Edward S. and Linda B. Baird Patient Support

This fund was established by Wilmot Cancer Institute patient Ed Baird and his wife Linda. After Ed was diagnosed with stage 4 tonsil cancer in 2015, he worried for his future.  However, with the help of a multidisciplinary team of head and neck cancer experts at Wilmot Cancer Center, Ed beat cancer, and celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary with Linda in 2020. Having endured the arduous life-saving treatment required to cure cancer in the head and neck, Ed and Linda established this fund to support patients through this treatment.

Donations to the Baird Patient Support Fund will be used to provide supportive services to patients with head and neck cancers, ensuring more successful outcomes like Ed’s in the future.

Give to the Edward S. and Linda B. Baird Patient Support Fund

John & Doris Frazer Otolaryngology Endowment

This endowment was established by John Frazer, who served as Chief of Otolaryngology from 1963 to 1981, and his wife, Doris.  Dr. Frazer began his 60-year clinical career in Hawaii, where he developed innovative surgical techniques in laryngeal reconstruction while treating individuals with leprosy.  During his tenure at URMC, he developed the Otolaryngology residency program to full specialty training, and was known as a skilled teacher and leader. Dr. Frazer, who passed away in 2010, continued seeing patients until he was almost 90. Dr. Frazier was passionate about advancing care in Otolaryngology through research and innovation.  

Gifts made to the Frazer Endowment will help us continue to make a difference for patients with head and neck cancers through the latest research and advancements in patient care. Research related to head and neck cancers in the department addresses a wide range of issues, ranging from geographical disparities in cancer survival to protecting and regenerating salivary gland cells during radiation therapy.

Give to the John & Doris Frazer Otolaryngology Endowment Fund

Lovejoy Fund for Hearing

Philanthropist and former clinical professor Frank Lovejoy, M.D., began to lose his hearing toward the end of his life.  Since Dr. Lovejoy passed away in 1997, his family has been passionate about supporting the Deaf community and medical advancements in treating hearing loss. The department has a very strong research program in hearing and balance disorders. Research areas include changes in hearing related to autism, difficulties in hearing in noise, perception and balance issues after injury to the ear or concussion, and fundamental mechanisms by which the inner ear controls our balance.

Gifts to the Lovejoy Fund will support hearing and balance research in the department of Otolaryngology.

Give to the Lovejoy Fund for Hearing

Dr. Clyde Heatly Otolaryngology Research Endowment

To best serve our patients and their families, our Otolaryngology researchers are dedicated to acquiring new knowledge and advancing our field.  Named in honor of former Chief of Otolaryngology Dr. Clyde Heatly, who retired in 1963, this endowment is dedicated to supporting research across a wide range of specialties, including nose and sinus care, voice disorders, and pediatric otolaryngology.

Give to the Dr. Clyde Heatly Otolaryngology Research Endowment Fund

For more information about giving please contact Valerie Donnelly, Director, URMC Clinical Advancement at (585) 276-4978 or valerie.donnelly@rochester.edu.