There was lack of enthusiasm and of leadership and
in May '53 the first move was made to organize an instrument
of the people, After gropings and delays, the permanent or-
ganization of the Kentucky Medical Foundation was perfected
on September 8, 'Sh at a meeting in Frankfort,
The situation during the early days of the Foundation
was that of a declining medical service and an increasing popu-
lation, The achievements of the Foundation of these early days
were many; it kept the situation before the people; it crystal-
lized the concept of a great medical center; it accustomed people
to realistic figures of costs of a great medical center; it
stressed human values, It did not stress fund—raising from
private sources because there were only visions and dreams to
sell at that time,
Today the situation is greatly changed, Not the least
of these changes is in the climate at the University, To see a
devoted staff sustained by the University translating these
visions and dreams into realities has changed the atmosphere of
the campus, Visions and dreams have matured into plans; plans
are being translated into buildings. There is every confidence
that the faculty to be assembled will be of the same high order
of excellence, Dr, Evans, who can speak with authority, is
predicting the Medical Center will rank with the best,
New medical centers lack many enriching features that
older schools have acquired along the way, They include such
things as endowed chairs, departments and beds, scholarships,
loan funds, research funds, endowed lectureships and others,
Also state university medical centers grow and develop. There
will doubtless be need for capital building and expansion, It
is out of these enriching features and continued growth the
Foundation expects to build its program of activities, There
are more than visions and dreams to sell now,
Sincerely yours, p //
 
7.
J. S. Chambers, M, D,
President, Kentucky Medical Foundation
jsc/rwe