The Illinois State Medical Society Educational and Scientific Foundation is a 501c(3) not for profit organization affiliated with the Illinois State Medical Society, and is staffed through the ISMS headquarters.

Our Mission

The Educational and Scientific Foundation was founded to provide an administrative agency to foster the advancement of clinical science through:

• The initiation of scientific and medical research activities.
• The collection, evaluation and dissemination to the public of the results of research activities.
• The implementation and management of projects related to medicine which seek to inform or educate patients, physicians and others to improve knowledge.

Patient Education

The Educational and Scientific Foundation works to facilitate the physician patient relationship through patient education initiatives. The Foundation has successfully developed educational materials for patients on issues such as health care reform, patient safety, HIV awareness for new mothers and obesity/weight management.

Medical Education

The Educational and Scientific Foundation also provides funding for continuing medical education initiatives, including support for educational programming for the Women Physicians Forum, the Illinois Residency Program Directors Forum, and a variety of other educational programs for practicing physicians. 

Fred Z. White, MD, Medical Student Loan Fund

Historically, the Fred Z. White, MD, Medical Student Loan Fund provided low interest loans to second, third and fourth-year medical students. Fred Z. White, MD, established the loan fund and dedicated his career as a family physician to promoting the interest of medical students and medical education in Illinois. Over 20 years, the loan fund provided over $3.5 million in loans to nearly 1,500 Illinois Medical Students.

The work of the ISMS Educational and Scientific Foundation relies on the generous contributions from its donors. Your gift to the Foundation will help support the Foundation's work in Illinois. The Educational and Scientific Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization and ESF contributions may be tax deductible (donors should check with their individual tax advisors). To make a contribution, contact the ISMS Educational and Scientific Foundation at: