All graduating physicians of the College of Medicine are expected to use the Virtual Hospital. The Eberly gift will allow further development of the concept. It has the potential to create for surgeons a tool comparable to flight simulators used by pilots. Prior to performing infrequently used surgical techniques, surgeons will be able to practice them. Surgeons in one locale can operate on a patient thousands of miles away.
Physicians can learn surgical techniques without involving patients.
New procedures can be taught to physicians in distant locations. It is anticipated that in the future, mannequins will become obsolete because advances in technology will allow complete virtual reality training. The Eberly Medical Research Innovation Fund will promote path-breaking interdisciplinary medical research, advance quickly the most promising new concepts developed by biomedical research scientists, develop and transfer research rapidly from the laboratory to the treatment of individuals, and provide funding to promote interdisciplinary biomedical research within the medical center. Charles and Irma Millard, whose son Christopher lost his battle with cancer at age 14, established The Four Diamonds Fund in 1972. The fund's primary mission is to provide financial assistance to families whose children are being treated for cancer at Children's Hospital at The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.