Wally and Geraldine Montgomery support surgery department

Pay it forward. It's a philosophy to which Dr. Wally Montgomery '62MD subscribes. Even though he’s a bit embarrassed by it.

“I don’t mean this to sound all pie in the sky, but those of us who have benefited from good fortune and who have had people who coached us, encouraged us, prodded us—we have a responsibility to pass it on and help others,” he says.

Montgomery and his wife, Geraldine, have spent their lives helping others. Geraldine was mayor of Paducah, Ky., for eight years. Wally was a general surgeon and partner in Surgical Group PSC before he retired. He is director of the Paducah Bank Shares Inc. and Paducah Bank and Trust Co. They helped fund the new Paducah School of Art (part of the West Kentucky Community & Technical College) and serve on numerous boards.

This fall they gave $100,000 to the School of Medicine Department of Surgery. In October they also hosted a reception in their home for School of Medicine graduates in the Paducah area. Dean Edward Halperin discussed the school’s achievements and funding needs with the 50 attendees.

“We gave because the School of Medicine means so much to our family. There are four of us with UofL School of Medicine degrees,” Wally says.

Wally received his doctorate in medicine from UofL in 1962. Daughter Evelyn Montgomery-Jones graduated in 1989 and is a dermatologist. Her husband, Shawn Jones, graduated in 1986 and is an ear, nose and throat surgeon. Son David Montgomery graduated in 1993 and is a general surgeon.

Dr. Kelly McMasters, chair of the Department of Surgery, says the gift will be used to support the research of junior faculty members.

Wally and Geraldine Montgomery with Dr. Kelly McMasters, surgery chair