For fifteen years, the Greater Louisville Medical Society (GLMS) has been a steadfast partner in shaping the future of medicine through its generous scholarship support for University of Louisville School of Medicine (ULSOM) students. With more than $730,000 awarded to date, this ongoing commitment has eased financial burdens, strengthened mentorship and cultivated a culture of gratitude and service among future physicians.  

What began in 2010 with the inaugural Doctor’s Cup golf tournament has grown into a cherished annual tradition and a symbol of community. That first year, GLMS awarded $20,000 in scholarships to UofL medical students. Fifteen years later, ten students each received $12,500, for a total of $125,000 in awards thanks to the generosity of Louisville’s physicians, local partners and sponsors across the region.  

“The Doctor’s Cup has become so much more than a fundraiser,” shared Bert Guinn, executive vice president and CEO of GLMS. “It’s a celebration of community, mentorship and gratitude that showcases Louisville’s rich tradition of collegiality and compassion in medicine.” 

This year marked the first Doctor’s Cup under the leadership of our very own Jeremy Clark, associate professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Clark served as the co-chair of the GLMS Scholarship Committee and volunteer physician leader for the cup itself. His leadership brought new energy and engagement to the tournament, resulting in record participation from major health systems and independent practices across the city. 

The 15th anniversary tournament highlighted the deep roots of that tradition. More than 160 guests, including practicing and retired physicians, students, residents and local sponsors gathered to honor the next generation of physicians. Nine of the ten scholarship recipients attended in person to accept their awards, joined by family and loved ones who celebrated their achievements. 

A particularly moving moment came when former scholarship recipient Travis Shutt, now a practicing ENT with UofL Physicians, returned not only to participate but also to sponsor a team on behalf of his practice. “Moments like these speak volumes,” said Guinn. “When a past student returns as a colleague and supporter, it reminds us that our medical student scholarships plant seeds of service, leadership and gratitude that continue to grow.” 

At the 15th hole, Tony Simms, director of medical student affairs and longtime GLMS volunteer, welcomed players beside a giant poster displaying photos of all 98 scholarship recipients since the program’s inception. As participants teed off, they were met with a powerful visual reminder of the hundreds of lives touched and the rippled effect of giving that continues to grow. 

“The generosity of our physician community through GLMS reminds us that gratitude is more than a feeling; it’s an action,” said Jeffrey Bumpous, dean of the School of Medicine. “When today’s physicians invest in tomorrow’s, they’re building a legacy of compassion and excellence that will echo through generations of patient care.”   

GLMS leaders see each scholarship recipient as the beginning of a ripple effect, one that extends far beyond the classroom or clinic. “When students feel supported by the physician community ahead of them, it creates a powerful sense of belonging and responsibility,” Guinn said. “It reinforces that medicine isn’t just a profession, it’s a tradition of caring for one another and lifting up the next generation.” 

As the Doctor’s Cup enters its next chapter, its legacy continues to grow, rooted in gratitude, strengthened by mentorship and sustained by the shared belief that supporting future physicians is an investment in the health and well-being of the entire Louisville community. 

Those wishing to contribute to the GLMS Foundation’s medical student scholarship fund or mentorship programs can contact Kimberly Risinger at Kimberly.risinger@glms.org. Every act of giving helps shape the next generation of physicians and the future of medicine in Louisville.