The Power of Empowerment

When asked about her journey as a Jefferson student, Geetinder (Rosy) Chattha MD ’87 recalls its transformative powers. “How I grew as a person and what I learned in those four years—the only other analogy I can give for such personal growth is being a parent,” she says. “One day you are a regular citizen, and then four years later you have experienced and learned so much, and you feel like you are useful and can do something.”

The daughter of immigrants from India who were also physicians, Chattha found her fellow classmates equally as inspiring. She glowingly describes her experience among the “brightest, most creative, and motivated students” as a member of the Class of 1987. “I learned so much from my classmates,” she shares. “Jefferson had a predilection and interest in taking students from non-science backgrounds and nontraditional students that was stunning to me. Sitting next to someone who is a qualified pharmacist, or nurse, or in the military—they had more life experience and this was perhaps a second career for them. My class had at least two music majors—people who could compose orchestral pieces and now could be a doctor. It blew my mind.”

She continues, “Our first course was medicine in society, and I really loved the fact that the first thing you learn is not highly technical, but something about who we are, and what we bring to this profession through our own personal backgrounds and experiences.” 

Needless to say, upon graduation Chattha felt well-prepared as she went on to residency in San Francisco.

Now a dermatologist practicing in Cupertino, California, and married to a fellow physician, Eldan Eichbaum, MD, a neurosurgeon, their daughter, Yasmine followed in their footsteps and applied to medical school. Chattha was pleased that Jefferson was on her list. She reconnected with her alma mater during an alumni event in her home state in 2021. “I went to a Giants and Phillies baseball game, and got a chance to talk to a number of other alums,” she says. “One or two had children that were at, or had graduated from, Jefferson. It was so reassuring and wonderful to hear that their kids are loving it and really appreciating their education there.” 

When her daughter was accepted to Jefferson, Chattha volunteered to be part of the reunion committee for her upcoming milestone reunion. “Being a part of the committee was a great chance to reconnect prior to the reunion, and also plan a visit to see our daughter after she had time to settle into her first year,” she says.  In October 2022, she attended Alumni Weekend, returning to Philadelphia and her Jefferson roots for the first time since graduating 35 years before. “Jefferson is phenomenal,” she shares. “Even 35 years later, they are focused on medical education and how we train doctors. It makes me very happy that my daughter attends a medical school where medical education and the best and most innovative practices are greatly valued. The idea that every medical school is the same is not true at all.”

The experience inspired Chattha, reigniting a spark—and connection—to Jefferson that had never really dimmed; and now burns more brightly than ever before. She and her husband were moved to ensure that medical school was within reach for deserving students who might not otherwise be able to afford it. The pair established the Chattha Family Scholarship Fund, an endowed fund providing aid to medical students with demonstrated financial need.

“I would not be sitting here today and have the wonderful profession that I have were it not for Jefferson,” Chattha affirms. “This was a great opportunity to do what I could for the school. Being in California I can’t attend every function, but supporting students through a scholarship is the most effective impact I could make at this juncture while still working in full practice. I also wanted to indirectly honor the Class of 1987, because so much of what I learned was from my fellow classmates. Supporting students was the best way to honor that.” 

Even as an alumna who graduated 35 years ago, Chattha still cares about the SKMC students of today. “It makes my career and profession better to support younger students and residents coming up the pipeline,” she shares. “They should know they are cherished by those who came before them—we do care. If you can and are able (to help), it is wonderful to do so. When asked at the reunion, many of my classmates raised their hands and asked how they could do more for the current batch of students.”

The creation of this fund will benefit students for generations to come, bestowing a philanthropic legacy 35 years in the making, and ensuring the development of tomorrow’s most compassionate, innovative, knowledgeable, medical researchers and clinicians.