A Legacy That Will Last Forever

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, part of the Montefiore Health System, sits in the heart of the Bronx — one of the poorest areas in New York State. For decades, students from low-income and immigrant families have struggled under the weight of massive tuition bills averaging $63,000 a year. Many graduate with over $200,000 in debt, delaying dreams of practicing medicine in underserved communities.

Now, that burden is gone — permanently. School officials confirmed the donation is structured to last indefinitely, with interest earned ensuring the endowment continues to grow. All students qualify for free tuition, effective immediately.

“This gift will change not only lives, but the face of medicine,” a faculty member said. “It means students can choose service over salary — passion over pressure.”

The act also places Gottesman among the most generous donors in American educational history, surpassing similar contributions that made NYU Grossman School of Medicine and UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine tuition-free.

In a statement, Gottesman credited her late husband for giving her the means to give back: “I feel blessed to have the privilege of making this gift to such a worthy cause.”

For students like Woo, that blessing is already being felt. “My mom didn’t believe it at first,” he said, laughing. “When I told her I’d never have to pay tuition again, she just started crying.”

From that moment on, the Bronx campus became more than just a medical school — it became a symbol of hope, proof that one act of generosity can transform generations.