A Personal Culture of Philanthropy

Now 80 years old, Betty Jo White, DO, FACOS (COM ’63) relishes a lifetime of memories, including obstacles and challenges, distinctive accomplishments, and awards for service and pioneering firsts—among those being the first woman in the osteopathic profession to complete a general surgical residency.

That remarkable achievement—against all odds—was in 1967. In the 25 years following her three-year surgical residency at Bashline Memorial Hospital in Grove City, Pennsylvania, where she also served as chief of staff and chief of surgery and spent her career, Dr. White performed or assisted on more than 8,000 surgeries, treated thousands of patients in her private practice and made a habit of never saying no—to anyone.

Perhaps most significant, Dr. White mindfully put into motion the building blocks of a personal culture of philanthropy to help advance osteopathy for those choosing it as a lifetime vocation.

Going Above and Beyond for the Greater Good

Dr. White professes profound gratitude for the myriad individuals who heartily supported her passion for becoming a physician—a dream that she nurtured beginning in the eighth grade—and her subsequent endeavors to pursue that goal through the rigors of high school, undergraduate, medical school, internship and residency.

Throughout a celebrated career, Dr. White creatively parlayed her resources toward inspiring others to support osteopathy—including the university where she received her education and encountered mentors that would forever impact and motivate her.

“Giving back to the university with annual donations since 1966 has been integral to my life,” she says. “Even as a student I was very loyal to the university, knowing I would do something for the school, but not knowing what that looked like—maybe return to teach. Although I did teach osteopathic students for 25 years or more, it was not in our university setting. Never, as a young student, did I imagine my contribution would be financial.”

Much has been written about Dr. White through the decades—tributes to her trailblazing ways and charitable spirit; her staunch allegiance to the osteopathic field and those individuals who offered encouragement and unfettered access to tools that would help her succeed; an unshakable faith; and a devotion to her beloved mother.

“I couldn’t have accomplished what I did in life without my mother’s selfless support,” Dr. White reflects. “That invaluable maternal boost and the guidance of the Lord, who placed all of the wonderful people in my life at the right time, helped me become a doctor.”

Frank and sincere beyond measure, Dr. White acknowledges that, “Osteopathy itself is the best thing that could have happened to me, and I was able to treat each patient with this modality. I gave my all—all of my life—to the profession I loved. I could not have worked or done any more.”

Mentors and History Converge

Four KCU professors and two historical figures also earned Dr. White’s unwavering admiration and respect, permanently shaping and steeping in diligence the physician’s philosophy of giving back her time, talent and treasure.

Dorsey Hoskins, DO, and Hazel Hoskins, DO (COM ’31 and COM ’31, respectively), who taught pathology, established a living trust that went toward the KCU building fund when Dr. Hazel passed.

Not only did Dr. White admire these academics for their fiscal dedication to KCU, she also looked up to James DiRenna Sr., DO (COM ’38), who served the university in many capacities, including professor of surgery.

“My fondest memory of belonging to a group was the ‘Court of Sir James,’ named after him, and attending homecoming banquets with the club’s members in his honor, for fundraising efforts,” Dr. White says.

Another major influence in Dr. White's burgeoning career was Mary Lou Butterworth, DO (COM ’54), an anesthesiologist and KCU professor. Dr. White remained close with Dr. Butterworth until she passed.

“Collectively these professors were my templates for giving back to KCU,” Dr. White says.

Dr. Albert Schweitzer was Dr. White’s first idol in medicine and she admits that spending time in his presence was something she would have enjoyed.

“And I will never forget Jim Elliot, the missionary who was only 29 when he met his demise; I was a high school senior.”

Dr. White adopted Jim’s famous quote as a personal mantra: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

Giving to Enhance the Lives of Others

Dr. White realizes it takes all kinds of physicians and people at various times in their lives to contribute; it's her hope that benefactors of KCU's renowned education will consider what they’ve done recently for the university.

“Consistent donations help sustain the university and they don’t necessarily have to be large gifts,” Dr. White advises. “Smaller donations are vital, too. And it's never too late to start.”

Dr. White has known every KCU president, except one, and was taught by the university’s first female graduate, Mamie E. Johnston, DO, a physician she holds in high esteem as a role model and counts among her most revered mentors.

“Dr. Johnston, who graduated in KCU's inaugural class in 1917, made an impression that, as a physician, you make a difference in the lives of others,” Dr. White recalls. “And that we strive to be more and go beyond our traditional duties, which helps bring purpose to our lives.”

Honoring that notion that her role and responsibility as a physician extended far beyond her title and job description, Dr. White began her annual giving footprint to KCU in 1966 with a donation to the Gracie Hall Fund, named for the school’s switchboard operator, a longtime college employee and a friend to everyone. Designated as the building fund, proceeds eventually went to purchase the former Children’s Mercy Hospital, now the KCU administration building.

Chronicling a Lifetime of Giving

Named KCU Alumnus of the Year in 1996, Dr. White marks 52 consecutive years in 2018 of supporting the university by setting up her own trusts and funds and responding to special requests from KCU such as the Weaver Auditorium seat donations and in memory of or in tribute to deceased classmates and professors—and the list goes on.

Emulating her signature innovative character, Dr. White was the first KCU student to set up a trust in 1992, and she became a founding member of the Heritage Society that was formed in 1993. Individuals become members of this society by including KCU in their estate plans through wills, trusts and IRAs, or by making contributions through other planned gift opportunities such as charitable gift annuities. Dr. White also is a member of the KCU Gold Society, the giving society that recognizes donors who give annually to the university.

In 2004 Dr. White set up the Betty Jo White, DO, FACOS, Prize for Research Fund endowment at KCU. Since 1970, one of the surgeon's lifetime goals was to earn the Nobel Prize.

“I named the fund for this and hope that someone at KCU will earn this honor in researching more on the osteopathic concept,” Dr. White says.

On June 15, 2009, Dr. White set up an endowed fund for the Mamie E. Johnston, DO, FACOP, Creative Medical Art in Teaching. To Dr. White and KCU's knowledge, no other medical university—osteopathic or otherwise—was doing this unique integration of art and medicine at the time. In 2016, KCU introduced the observation of art in medicine into its curriculum and conducts classes at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City and at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.

“Students visit Kansas City and Bentonville’s renowned art museums to study people in artists’ paintings, drawings and sculptures,” she says. “It's a very avant-garde way to get out of the classroom or a clinical setting and have a change of perspective.”

The Betty Jo White, DO, FACOS Prize for Osteopathy Fund endowment, set up on Oct. 4, 2012, is intended for students to eventually return and teach osteopathy at KCU.

“My life as an osteopathic physician has been enormously fulfilling,” Dr. White says. “And I cherish my philanthropic life, which has surpassed the intentions I had as a young medical student. It is my unapologetic belief that we all have a responsibility to support this extraordinary profession of osteopathy.”

To learn more about ways you can support KCU, contact Jennifer Ingraham at (816) 654-7282 or jingraham@kansascity.edu.

Creative Giving In 2004, Dr. Betty Jo White set up the Betty Jo White, DO, FACOS Prize for Research endowed fund. Always looking for an opportunity to augment an already rich philanthropic resume, she added to this endowment in 2008 by setting up a charitable gift annuity directed toward it. This atypical way to give back reaps two benefits: It will enable Dr. White to receive a monthly income for life and, once she has passed, the fund will assist students. This year Dr. White renamed the fund to honor KCU’S first osteopathic researcher, Yale U. Castlio, DO (COM), a physician she held in great regard. “The charitable gift annuity is another effective philanthropic vehicle that many don’t consider,” Dr. White says. “The older one becomes, the percentage rate increases at the time the charitable gift annuity is established. The hallmark of my five decades of giving proves there isn’t merely one way to structure your planned giving with KCU.” For further information, contact Jennifer Ingraham at (816) 654-7282 or jingraham@kansascity.edu.