UCLA receives $15.2 million bequest from estate of entertainer Garry Shandling

A bequest of $15.2 million from the estate of entertainer Garry Shandling will advance research in several fields at theDavid Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.Shandling, the comedian, actor, director, writer  and producer who died in March 2016, earmarked the funds to benefit three units — the division of endocrinology, diabetes and hypertension; the division of infectious diseases; and the UCLA Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases — as well as general medical research at the David Geffen S chool of Medicine, establishing a meaningful philanthropic legacy.His gift will establish and endow the Garry Shandling Endocrine Surgery Research Fund, the Garry Shandling Infectious Diseases Innovation Fund and the Garry Shandling Pancreatic Diseases Fund. The remainder of the bequest will establish the Garry Shandling Medical Research Fund, which will operate under the direction of the medical school ’s dean. In his honor, UCLA also has named the Garry Shandling Learning Studio, a 6,400-square-foot multipurpose space located in Geffen Hall, the school’s medical education building.“Innovative medical discoveries and breakthrough therapies developed at UCLA have greatly enhanced — and saved — countless lives,” said UCLA Chancellor Gene Block. “Garry Shandling’s bequest is a testament to his belief in what is possible at UCLA, and we are fortunate to have merited hi s support.”Shandling underwent surgery at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center for hyperparathyr...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news