EDITORIAL: A Healthy System

The recent $600 million fund-raising drive undertaken by the University Health System is just the latest step in an exciting progression of events for the University's health care system. Over the past year, University researchers have made major advances in finding cures for genetically transmitted diseases, cancer, HIV and respiratory diseases. They have been named to a list of "The Best Doctors in America." And they have developed new techniques to ease pain without using anesthetic. The Health System has also grown in size through a series of mergers and affiliation agreements. This year, the Health System acquired Presbyterian Health System, following a nationwide trend of smaller hospitals merging with larger institutions. Officials also signed a partnership agreement with Germantown Hospital in order to establish a network of community hospitals throughout the Delaware Valley. If the Health System's research and size is not impressive enough, it now is attempting to raise $600 million to further its struggle for perfection. The drive, for which $300 million has already been raised, will provide much-needed student financial aid, funds for important research and money for improving the care of patients. Seventy-seven million dollars will be used to form the 21st Century Endowment Scholars Fund, which will allow top medical students to attend school tuition free. If this noble goal -- a tuition-free medical education -- is achieved, the Health System could eliminate the financial pressures that sometimes prevent the top young minds from pursuing a career in health care. In a few short years, the University's Health System has climbed to the top of its field, garnering the utmost respect from peer institutions. We hope the Health System will be met with success in the fundraising drive, and we applaud its administrators for their adept guidance of the University's medical services.