Western University of Health Sciences

GIVINGCOMP RECEIVES $1.2 MILLION GIFTBy Roy Greer“I like challenge,” says Dr. Daljit Sarkaria. “We learn a great deal aboutourselves through our approach to adversity.” An extensive medical-professionsrésumé girded by a living philosophy of self-drive and -ingenuityaffirms the statement as more than mere words. Surmounting challengesmay well be a silent mantra of this medical luminary who understoodearly on that investing in a medical career and in property weren’t exactlymutually exclusive endeavors. Both have paid handsome dividends forSarkaria and his family. His decision to share the earned bounty withWesternU in the form of a substantial real estate gift will assist futuremedical professionals in meeting their own career challenges.Upon earning a PhD from Cornell University in 1948 and an MD fromNew York State University at Buffalo in 1957, Sarkaria enteredresidency training at UCLA Medical School which prepared him for a 22-year tenure with La Mirada Hospital (now Kindred Hospital of SouthernCalifornia) as a pathologist. While at La Mirada Hospital, he wouldbefriend fellow physician Ethan Allen. Little did either know at the timethe friendship would be a defining element of their lives. It was Allen, afounding director of WesternU and its longest-serving active board memberto date, who acquainted Sarkaria with the university and the philosophy ofosteopathic medicine. Osteopathy’s humanistic, patient-centered underpinningsmeshed with Sarkaria’s own holistic approach to health care. “As along-time colleague and friend, I was moved with joyful excitement uponlearning of Daljit’s benevolent gift to COMP,” says Allen.Dr. Sarkaria and his wife of 44 years, Elaine, have extended theirgenerosity and reverence for life enhancement in the form of a real estatedonation. As an investment, they had bought property located in a commercialarea of La Mirada the value of which has increased exponentially—a market valuation upwards of $1.2 million today—since their originalpurchase. They discovered that with the use of a charitable trust, theycould accomplish multiple goals. While supporting education was theirprimary objective, they also ensured their retirement futures as well assecured considerable tax savings.Jim Williams, gift planning specialist, commendsthe Sarkarias’ compassion. “It has been a real joy towork with Dr. and Mrs. Sarkaria,” he says. “Theytruly care about the future of their family and theworld around them.”Says Dr. Benjamin Cohen, interim dean ofCOMP: “We certainly owe a debt to the Sarkariasfor their generosity. Not only are we humbled bytheir support, we are further impassioned in ourefforts to educate only the highest-caliber medicalprofessionals the world over.”Retired from medicine since 1989, Dr.Sarkaria appreciates having been afforded anopportunity to make a contribution to the healthprofessions and to the betterment of human life.“I am only a link,” he states with humility. “Givingback to education is my way of helping strengthenthe chain of health care providers well intofuture generations.”A priceless investment indeed.aa.Dr. Ethan R. Allen and Dr. Daljit Sarkaria togetherat a VIP dinner honoring donors to WesternU.12 Spring 2004 www.westernu.edu