Jim Packard

Lifetime of Caring for Others Continues with Scholarship

Dr. Jim Packard felt his UF education provided a strong foundation for a lifetime of service to others.

"I am happy, through this gift annuity, to be a part of other students’ education at the University of Florida." - Dr. Jim Packard

Dr. Jim Packard was never one to step aside when things needed to be done.
Just ask the few remaining British sailors he saved in 1949 during the Chinese Civil War. Their ship had been attacked on China's Yangtze River while on a rescue mission — 21 men were killed, 28 more injured.

Jim, then a U.S. Navy doctor, was 40 miles away when the sailors' call for help was received. He and another man quickly filled a jeep with medical supplies, traveled as far as roads would take them and hiked the rest of the day to treat the injured men waiting on the river's edge.

Years later, after a long career in private practice, he retired. But instead of moving to a retirement community, he became a doctor on Indian reservations in Montana and South Dakota. So it was not too surprising, really, when he established a bequest and charitable gift annuities to help future medical students at the University of Florida.

When Jim, who earned his UF bachelor's degree 76 years ago, died in August 2011, his legacy of serving others continued through the funding of his scholarship.

"I enjoyed very much my years as an undergraduate here in Gainesville. The faculty were excellent, providing a basic education that prepared me very well for the remainder of my academic career," Jim said when hemade the gift in 1994. "I am happy, through this gift annuity, to be a part of other students' education at the University of Florida."

The Gift of Support
One of those students is May Wang, a fourth-year medical student. She and Heather Applewhite are the first recipients of the James W. Packard Jr. Scholarship. For her, the scholarship is a godsend.

"As a result of Dr. Packard's gift, I am now much less concerned financially as I begin the process of applying for residency in various cities across the country," May says. "Without this assistance, I'd still achieve my academic and career goals, but the road would be that much more trying."