A Georgetown University graduate and her husband have committed to establishing a scholarship fund and grant program, according to an August 22 email from University Provost and Interim President Robert M. Groves.

Georgetown will use the gift from Dr. Georganne Vartorella (CAS ’73, MED ’82) and her husband, Dr. Richard Statesir, to establish the Vartorella-Statesir Endowed Scholarship Fund for undergraduate scholarships, the Vartorella-Statesir Thriving Grants to provide students financial assistance for co-curricular activities and the Frank and Emily Vartorella Master’s in Italian Studies Endowed Fund to provide merit scholarships to master’s students in the department of Italian studies.

The commitment to scholarships is the largest in Georgetown’s history, according to the email. The Vartorella-Statesir Endowed Scholarship Fund will support first-generation students, low-income students and students from underrepresented backgrounds during all four years of undergraduate school.

Groves commended Vartorella for her commitment to first-generation students as a Georgetown community member.

“Together, she and Rich, as leaders in medicine, have placed great emphasis on the importance of diversifying the healthcare profession,” Groves wrote in the email. “Their contribution will enable us to do that much more in our efforts to welcome and support students at Georgetown.”

Vartorella is a first-generation college student and has served on the university’s Board of Regents and McCourt Board of Advisors. Vartorella practiced internal medicine for 13 years and founded Patient Advocacy MD, an organization that helps patients and their families navigate the healthcare system. Statesir is an ophthalmologist.