Saint Louis University (SLU), through its Office of Global Relations, Alumni Affairs, and Scholarship Programs (OGRAASP), held an encounter and reunion with the co-trustees, benefactors, scholars, and alumni of the Nellie Kellogg Van Schaick Charitable Trust Foundation on 24 August 2026 at the Fr. Theophile Verbist Hall, SLU Sacred Heart Medical Center.
Themed “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Embracing the Future,” the gathering brought together members of the Nellie Kellogg community to recognize the foundation’s significant contributions to medical education and the opportunities the program has opened in providing compassionate service to the wider community through SLU.
The program began with a prayer and the singing national anthems by the SLU Glee Club, one of the performing groups of the SLU Center for Culture and the Arts. University President Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD, then gave his welcome remarks.
“Medical education is not only about classrooms, laboratories, or clinical rotations,” Fr. Sales said, “it is, at its best, about forming competent, compassionate professional graduates, who are grounded in knowledge, trained in skills, and guided by values. When scholarships, support, and mentoring become available to our students, we do more than help students finish a degree, we help shape the next generation of doctors, educators, and we have advocates, who respond to real needs of our people and the society. So as we honor the past and celebrate what has been accomplished so far, let us also renew our commitment to the future.”
Addressing the alumni-scholars, Fr. Sales emphasized that their journeys serve as living proof of how “opportunities can transform lives and that education can become service.” To the current scholars, he said that this event is a celebration of their “perseverance and the value of the support” they are receiving. He reminded students that their scholarships represent far more than a simple allowance; they are a distinct honor, “an accordance that opens doors that makes studies possible.” The scholars were encouraged to approach their studies with unwavering excellence, discipline, humility, and a clear sense of purpose. Fr. Sales then expressed gratitude to its trustees and benefactors, whose continuous generosity directly sustains the program and “keeps the mission of medical education alive for the next generation.”
“Through the scholarship, medical education becomes a new mission producing graduates who not only know how to heal, but who understand why they must serve and by that belief every act of care reflects God’s grace in you and through you… May this shared purpose continue to guide the community, and inspire all of us to work together for the greater good,” Fr. Sales further said.
Nellie Kellogg scholars and alumni proceed with sharing testimonials: Dr. Mildred Wansi-Guimpayan, a Nellie Kellogg Scholar from Batch 23 and School of Medicine (SOM) Batch 2008; Mr. Manuelito V. Diaz, a scholar from Batch 35 and SOM Batch 2025; and Dr. Rodel J. Banggiacan, a scholar from Batch 27 and SOM Batch 2012. In the 36 batches thus far, the program produced 153 scholars (from 1982 to 2023) and currently supports 13 scholars.
A major highlight of the gathering was the presentation of Nellie Kellogg Scholars Alumni Foundation Philippines. The presentation was led by Dr. Peter Allan A. Quitasol, a Nellie Kellogg Scholar from Batch 17 and SOM Batch 2002, who serves as president of the alumni foundation. His presentation gave a walkthrough of the history of Nelli Kellogg in the Philippines, which later became the Nellie Kellogg Alumni Foundation Philippines. Since its inception in 2015, the alumni foundation has had six scholars.
A tribute ceremony was then held for Rev. Fr. Evarist Louis Verlinden, CICM, the first scholarship coordinator of the Nellie Kellogg Van Schaick Charitable Trust Foundation who helped establish the Nellie-Kellog foundation at SLU.
The event also paid tribute to the late Dean John Anthony A. Domantay, MD and Dean Gaudelia A. Reyes, MD honoring their contributions and lasting influence on the university’s medical education community.
Atty. Theodore “Ted” Barassi and Ms. Beth Colt, co-trustees and benefactors of the Foundation, delivered responses on behalf of the foundation.
Reflecting on the foundation’s legacy of 50 years, Atty. Barassi detailed how Nellie Kellogg originally handed down her entire estate, trust, and holdings to support educational opportunities. Recognizing that Filipino graduates were far more likely to remain and practice in their home country rather than the United States, the foundation petitioned a court in Arizona to redirect the trust specifically toward funding scholarships for students in the Philippines. Between 1975 and 1995, key academic institutions were selected, with SLU becoming the second partner school identified, a relationship that provided continuous scholarship support for more than four decades. Emphasizing that both the foundation and the university have been fulfilling their commitment to honoring the legacy of scholarship, Atty. Barassi addressed the scholars and said, “…To the existing scholars, I just want to say, it is up to you now to pick up the torch and carry it through.”
Ms. Colt recalled the visits to the schools they’ve had and was reminded about the metaphor of how a stone falls in the water and how the ripples of that continue forever. “What I have experienced first-hand in my time here is.. the power of this gift — how it has influenced individual doctors who have gone on to save hundreds of thousands of lives impact public health, become leaders in the community, create organizations where they are founding their own scholarships to continue to give back in her honor. What a visionary legacy Nellie had. She was a true visionary and I am incredibly proud to be a small part of it…For the young doctors here today, please allow this to be an inspiration for you…You will later in your careers have opportunities to give back as Nellie was able to do later in life, and do not neglect that opportunity.”
In closing, OGRAASP Director Stephenie O. Busbus, PhD, said, “I would like to thank our trustees and co-trustees for the many years of supporting our students who want to become medical doctors. Indeed Saint Louis University, through the Nellie Kellogg Trust Foundation has significantly added practitioners, clinicians, doctors in the Philippines – doctors in the barrios, doctors who go to the farflung areas…ensuring health in the community, not only in the best hospitals.” She thanked the alumni for making time, highlighting their continued support and commitment to paying it forward. “May you continue to share your blessings as we shape more Louisian doctors who are not only competent but compassionate and imbued with Christian spirit,” she said.
Dr. Busbus went on to honor the former members for their dedication and commitment to the work of medical scholarship. Following this, the new members were presented:
- Chair: Stephenie O. Busbus, PhD
- Co-Chair: Marie Ellami S. Refuerzo
- Members: Maria Cecilia S. Abad, Arturo C. Calwag, Dr. Myrna M. Espiritu, Ann P. Opiña, PhD, and Allan Frank B. Silva.
As part of the reunion, a cultural tour around the City of Baguio, as well as visits in the various units in the university and SLU SHMC were held.
The relationship between SLU and the Nellie Kellogg Van Schaick Charitable Trust Foundation underscores the continuing commitment to nurturing scholars, strengthening alumni ties, and sustaining a legacy of partnership between benefactors and the community. Aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the collaboration serves as a powerful reminder that every scholarship represents a lasting investment in compassionate healthcare grounded on Missio et Excellentia.
