{"id":122689,"date":"2023-07-12T10:16:07","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T15:16:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/?p=122689"},"modified":"2023-07-18T10:09:47","modified_gmt":"2023-07-18T15:09:47","slug":"zilber-family-foundation-gives-20-million-to-uwms-zilber-college-of-public-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/news\/zilber-family-foundation-gives-20-million-to-uwms-zilber-college-of-public-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Zilber Family Foundation gives $20 million to 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s Zilber College of Public Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Zilber Family Foundation presented 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s Joseph J. Zilber College of Public Health with a record-breaking $20 million gift to support faculty excellence and student achievement.<\/p>\n

The funding will continue to advance health equity on behalf of the people of Milwaukee by supporting two endowments: the Zilber Faculty Excellence Fund and the Vera Zilber Student Program Fund. It\u2019s an investment in the people who make the program a transformative force in Milwaukee.<\/p>\n

\u201cZilber Family Foundation is honored to continue Joe and Vera Zilber\u2019s legacy with a donation of the largest single gift in the history of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee \u2013 and one of the largest gifts given to a school of public health across the country,\u201d said Gina Stilp, executive director of Zilber Family Foundation. \u201cThe $20 million commitment will continue to promote public health, prevent disease and advance health equity in Milwaukee for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Gina Stilp, executive director of Zilber Family Foundation, speaks at UW-Milwaukee\u2019s Zilber College of Public Health on Wednesday. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo\/Kyle Bursaw)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The gift was announced Wednesday during a gathering at the college that included Stilp, 51ÁÔÆæ Chancellor Mark Mone, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, interim dean Amy Harley, faculty, staff, students and donors.<\/p>\n

51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s Zilber College of Public Health is Wisconsin\u2019s only accredited school of public health and one of only 56 such dedicated schools in the country. The college is a leading institution in advancing population health, health equity, and social and environmental justice throughout Milwaukee, across Wisconsin and beyond.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Zilber Family Foundation\u2019s landmark gift is a vote of confidence in 51ÁÔÆæ and the college\u2019s future,\u201d Mone said. \u201cIt reinforces our pillars of faculty excellence, top-tier research, student access and achievement. This extraordinary gift significantly enhances our ability to recruit and retain top faculty members while accelerating and supporting the students who will become our nation\u2019s public health leaders. Today is one of the highlights of my career, and it\u2019s due the partnership that we have here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnson stressed the value of partnerships.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe in partnerships, especially those that make Milwaukee healthier and advance health equity for everybody,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cWe all know about the health disparities in our city and state. Partnerships are our way forward to solve the challenges we face.\u201d<\/p>\n

A legacy of support<\/h3>\n

Zilber Family Foundation was founded in 1961 by real estate mogul Joseph J. Zilber and his wife, Vera, to champion efforts that address basic needs and ensure personal safety, increase access to social and economic opportunity and improve the quality of life in the city of Milwaukee.<\/p>\n

In 2007, Joe Zilber donated $10 million to support the development of the UW-Milwaukee Graduate College of Public Health and the opportunity to educate a new generation of public health workers and changemakers. The college was established in Milwaukee\u2019s Brewery District as an intentional force for revitalization and investment \u2013 a key priority for Zilber and the Foundation.<\/p>\n