Every Gift Counts: UT Health Sciences Giving Day Returns April 21

"Travis was bigger than life but loved by all."

For Jeff Adams, MD, that memory of his late classmate Travis Brannon, MD, still captures what made the College of Medicine's Class of 1986 so close, and why the classmates have chosen to honor him in a way that continues to shape future health care professionals.

Their story is one of many that reflects the spirit behind the University of Tennessee Health Sciences' sixth annual Giving Day, a 24-hour fundraising campaign on Tuesday, April 21, that brings the campus community together in support of students, research, and care across Tennessee.

Dr. Brannon was not a typical medical student. A former Top Gun pilot, he began medical school later than most of his peers, bringing with him a sense of perspective, leadership, and steadiness that stood out among his classmates.

"Most of us were fresh out of college," said Dr. Adams, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in Columbia, Tennessee. "Travis had great stories about his career as a Navy fighter pilot and took some of us flying, mostly to scare us.

"What set him apart was his quiet integrity and humility, even as a born leader with natural charisma."

Dr. Brannon served as class president, and his widow, Susie, recalls many of the lifelong memories shared with the Class of 1986: canoe trips, late-night pizzas after finals, and the deep, special bonds they established during their med school years. "Travis always gave freely of his time to his classmates, friends, family and patients," she said. "It was who he was."

After graduation, Dr. Brannon built a successful career as an anesthesiologist in Nashville. Even as the classmates moved on, he remained a thread that kept the class close. Before Dr. Brannon passed away from cancer in 2020, he made one request of Dr. Adams: Keep the Class of 1986 connected.

That promise led the class to establish the UT Health Sciences Class of 1986 Travis Brannon Memorial Endowed Scholarship to honor their friend and support medical students with military service backgrounds. The scholarship helps ease the burden of medical school without requiring additional years of military service. It's a way to pay it forward to another former military person, Susie Brannon said.

"When people rally around our shared mission and support it philanthropically, even modest gifts can make a meaningful difference."

Giving in honor of Dr. Brannon is one of many ways donors can support Giving Day. The university-wide effort invites alumni, faculty, staff, students, and the wider community to join in support of UT Health Sciences' mission to make Tennessee healthier through research, outreach, and education.

"Donors can contribute any amount and direct it to any of our six colleges or initiatives," said Caitlin Clark, director of annual giving. "All Giving Day donations support our future health care professionals, high-quality care, and cutting-edge research."

Giving Day also multiplies donor power, with challenge and matching dollars unlocked throughout the day, including a 1-to-1 anonymous match to the Cancer Discovery Fund. Launched last year, the Cancer Discovery Fund accelerates efforts to develop better diagnostic and treatment options for Tennessee and beyond. Thanks to donor support during the 2025 Giving Day, six researchers received $300,000 in grants at the inaugural Cancer Collaborative Scientific meeting in October 2025.

"Giving Day is about UT Health Sciences' collective impact," Clark said. "And when people rally around our shared mission and support it philanthropically, even modest gifts can make a meaningful difference to our more than 3,000 students and everyone who champions their success."

Benefits Director Debbie Jackson, a member of the campus Advancement Council, will continue to support the university's mission this Giving Day. She has spent 20 years in Human Resources helping faculty and staff navigate benefits, retirement and life transitions. "I truly love making complex paths feel manageable and hopeful," she said.

Jackson has supported Giving Day since its launch. Early on, however, she wondered if her modest contribution really mattered. "I gave what I could at the time, and I thought, 'Does this really make a difference?'" What Jackson has learned since then echoes the experience of Dr. Travis Brannon's classmates: Real change doesn't come from acting alone, but from many people choosing to show up and believing their support will make a difference.

"Giving Day is meaningful because everyone who works at UT Health Sciences, no matter the role, helps to educate the next generation of health care professionals for not only Tennessee but across the country.

"I feel that, at some point, if not currently, all of us or someone we love will benefit from that education. That's how important our mission is," Jackson said. "I'm honored to give back in this way and to encourage everyone I know to support UT Health Sciences on Giving Day."