The Alan and Marlene Norton College of Medicine has received a $4.5 million gift from the estate of alumnus Christopher G. Ullrich and his wife, Betsy C. Ullrich, in support of medical student scholarships and two endowed faculty positions.
The bequest will fund the $1 million Christopher G. and Betsy C. Ullrich Endowed Scholarship to support second or third-year students in the Norton College of Medicine.
In addition, the remainder of the bequest will create the Christopher G. and Betsy C. Ullrich Endowed Professor of Neuroradiology and the Christopher G. and Betsy C. Ullrich Endowed Chair of Radiology.
“This extraordinary generosity from the Ullrich family strengthens the foundation of our mission as a public academic health institution,” said Upstate President Mantosh Dewan, M.D., the Alan and Marlene Norton presidential chair. “Their commitment expands opportunity, fuels innovation and elevates the care and discovery that serve our region and beyond. We are honored by their investment in Upstate and the future we are building together.”
Rochester-native physician Christopher Ullrich, Norton College of Medicine Class of 1976, built a respected career as a neuroradiologist. After earning his medical degree and completing his residency in diagnostic radiology at Upstate, Ullrich did advanced training in neuroradiology and practiced for nearly four decades at Charlotte Radiology in North Carolina.
Widely regarded for clinical excellence, mentorship and leadership, Ullrich served in numerous professional organizations, including the American College of Radiology and the American Society of Neuroradiology and twice as president of the North Carolina Radiological Society.
Appointed by the governor to the North Carolina State Health Coordinating Council for nine years, including as chair, he helped shape health facilities planning and played a key role in advancing the state’s telemedicine law to uphold high standards of patient care. His contributions were recognized with many honors, including the silver medal from the North Carolina Chapter of the American College of Radiology and the American College of Radiology gold medal, awarded posthumously.
Ullrich met his wife, Betsy, and the couple were longtime community leaders in North Carolina. Betsy was deeply involved in pet and animal rescue efforts. She later made a generous gift in her husband’s honor to support the Lavery Library Modernization and Renovation Project, naming the Christopher ’72 and Betsy Ullrich Atrium.