The commitment from Byron A. Genner III, M.D., funded through a gift of real estate, will be used to stimulate interest among other medical-school alumni in supporting the Eugene Mindell Chair in Orthopaedics, named to honor the renowned bone-tumor researcher and former chair of the UB Department of Orthopaedics, who is now a professor emeritus.

"This is the kind of generosity and commitment to excellence in medical education that makes UB medical graduates stand out," said John Naughton, vice president for clinical affairs and dean of the medical school. "This gift from Dr. Genner will act as a cornerstone that others will build upon, one that will assure continued excellence in orthopaedics research and education."

The school needs $1 million to $1.5 million to fund the chair endowment. Genner's commitment will become part of the chair's funding in the future when the trust's conditions are fulfilled.

"UB provided me with an outstanding undergraduate and medical education," said Genner. "This became evident during my internship and orthopaedic-surgery residency. It was satisfying being as well or better prepared than my peers in my academic endeavors. I appreciate what the university did for me."

UB President William R. Greiner said, "Genner's magnanimity means a lot not only to the medical school, but also to the university as a whole. The support of such an accomplished and distinguished alumnus speaks volumes about the quality of the medical training that UB provides.

"We are very proud to count Dr. Genner among our alumni, proud of the successes he has achieved, and proud that he has seen fit to give so generously in order to help us maintain the excellence in medical education that he valued in UB," Greiner added.

After graduation from medical school, Genner spent 15 years on active duty in the Air Force, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He practiced and taught orthopaedics in Washington, D.C., from 1965-83, holding appointments as an associate clinical professor at George Washington University and assistant clinical professor at Georgetown University medical schools. He continues a part-time orthopaedics practice, along with a medical-legal consulting service.