Profiles in philanthropy: stories of generosity in our community
Current professor Dr. Tony Roche, former professor Dr. Ken Mackie, and former resident and fellow Dr. Jane Fitch, along with her husband John Fitch, recently shared why they find it so important to give to the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine at this time. Their contributions, reflective of each of their stories, support global health initiatives, honor influential mentorship, and ensure the future of world-class anesthesiology education at the University of Washington.
Read on to discover how their philanthropic efforts are shaping outcomes for healthcare and leadership in our specialty for generations to come.
Championing global health ethics and sustainability: Dr. Tony Roche
Dr. Tony Roche
Dr. Tony Roche’s dedication to global health shines through his extensive partnerships with institutions in Namibia, Uganda, the UK, Canada, and the US. As an honorary professor at the University of Namibia and senior advisor for the UW Global Anesthesiology INitiative (UW-GAIN), he is committed to improving healthcare quality, safety, and access in low-resource settings.
Born and raised in South Africa, Dr. Roche focuses on ethics, professional development, and capacity building within partner institutions. “Unlike vaccine distribution or disease prevention programs,” he said, “investments in training and infrastructure do not yield immediate, quantifiable results—yet they are essential to foster healthy communities.”
Dr. Roche joined the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine in 2011 because UW Medicine’s approach to global health aligned with his vision of long-term sustainability and growth for global health partners. “By supporting initiatives led by host communities,” he shared, “we work towards a future where the need for external aid will no longer exist.”
Dr. Tony Roche and Riana Roche recently established the Endowed Global Health Fund for Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine to provide lasting support for residents, faculty, and global partners. The fund will advance program development, seed innovative research, and help the department meet critical needs in partner communities.
To create the endowed fund, Dr. Roche has pledged a significant gift through payroll deductions for the next several years. In the meantime, he and Riana encourage others to donate now to the Anesthesiology Global Health Gift Fund, which supports current activities within UW-GAIN.
UW-GAIN promotes equitable perioperative care worldwide by funding education initiatives, offsetting travel costs for residents and faculty, purchasing equipment, and supporting global health-focused research projects. The Roches’ philanthropic efforts remind us of the impact dedicated individuals can have when they invest in a shared vision of global health equity.
Reflecting on the desired impact of these funds, Dr. Roche said he hopes to inspire a community of giving. “Let’s not look inwardly. Let’s look outwardly and think of others. Let’s make the lives of others better; let’s bring them the tools, the strategies, and the skills to be able to harness the healthcare in their own communities.”
Honoring a legacy of leadership: Dr. Ken Mackie
Dr. Ken Mackie
Dr. Thomas Hornbein was not only part of the first duo to climb Mt. Everest via the West Ridge, but he also served as the beloved chair of the University of Washington’s Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine for 16 years, from 1978 to 1994. It was during that time that he made a lifelong impact on Dr. Ken Mackie.
“He was fun.” Dr. Mackie recalled of their times on call together. “He had a bounce in his step and a sparkle in his eye, but he was also a thoughtful clinician. Chairs are very busy people, and that’s not something they always maintain. It was an educational experience to be around him.”
Dr. Hornbein helped to guide Dr. Mackie’s early research at UW Medicine and financed his first lab, while impressing upon Dr. Mackie that “the skills that serve you well in research also serve you well in clinical practice—particularly anesthesiology, which demands being aware and observant of your surroundings.”
Upon learning of Dr. Hornbein’s death in 2023, Dr. Mackie reached out to the UW Medicine advancement team to find out how he could honor his life and legacy. He was grateful to join others with a gift to the Dr. Thomas Hornbein Endowed Memorial Fund.
Dr. Thomas Hornbein
“I’m far enough along in my career to think back about who was influential, who directed me as a scientist and as a person,” mused Dr. Mackie, who is currently a distinguished professor of psychological and brain sciences and holds a chair in the Gill Institute for Neuroscience at Indiana University. “Tom touched a lot of people’s lives in very different ways. I thought it was important to recognize and preserve his memory for the future generation of trainees who hopefully benefit from this.”
For him, it was a pleasure and honor to rally others to give to the Dr. Thomas Hornbein Endowed Memorial Fund. “Residency is a challenging time,” he admits. “Sometimes residents are underappreciated. Anything that can be done to make their training experience a more enriching, educationally beneficial process while also supporting their overall mental health is a relief. It is a good thing to do.”
Through his generous gift to the memorial fund, Dr. Mackie echoes Dr. Thomas Hornbein’s passion and care for residents, paying it forward to future generations of impactful mentors in our specialty.
Giving back in gratitude: Dr. Jane Fitch & John Fitch
Dr. Jane Fitch and Mr. John Fitch
Dr. Jane Fitch and her husband, John Fitch, are an admirable team. High school sweethearts who married young, they supported each other through every step of their professional and personal journeys. Now enjoying retirement, they reflect with gratitude on the places and opportunities that shaped their lives—including the UW Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, which they have honored with a gift in their estate plan.
“John had to finish raising me, almost, because we got married very young,” Dr. Fitch shared with a laugh. “He had just graduated college, and I was halfway through college. He had to finish sending me to nursing school, nurse anesthesia school, medical school, internship, residency, and fellowship.”
Their journey took them to Seattle, where Dr. Fitch completed her residency and fellowship at the University of Washington. “Seattle is my favorite place we ever lived. It’s just so beautiful there, and we loved all the people,” she reminisced.
Dr. Fitch’s career spanned several prestigious institutions, but the University of Washington holds a special place in her heart. “I spent my entire professional career as a physician in academic anesthesiology. I was faculty at three major academic institutions, a residency program director, a fellowship program director, a chair, and I loved every minute of it.”
A long-time member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Dr. Fitch served as ASA president in 2014. She was known as a fierce advocate of patient safety, who led and took part in initiatives at federal and state levels to assure access to quality anesthesia care, particularly on behalf of veterans. Her work even inspired Mr. Fitch to develop software through his own company to support anesthesiologists in their clinical practice.
The decision to include the University of Washington in their estate plan was driven by a desire to give back. Their future gift will support anesthesiology resident educational and professional activities.
“We really just wanted to help pay it forward because we feel like we’ve had a charmed life, a blessed life,” Dr. Fitch explained. “This is our way of helping the next generation.”
John Fitch put it more plainly. “We need anesthesiologists to take care of us in our old age,” he said.
“Right,” Dr. Fitch agreed with smile. “That’s our personal incentive. Get them out there and get them well trained.”
The Fitches hope their gift will inspire others. “I would encourage everyone to do something,” she said, adding, “Annual contributions, which we’ve also done on and off over the years to the department, help immensely. It doesn’t have to be an enormous gift or an endowed chair or endowed professorship. Anything that you can give will be put to great use, and it’s sorely needed.”
Reflecting with pride on Dr. Fitch’s work and legacy, John Fitch added, “It’s really beautiful to be in a position to pay it forward, to help the next generation of people pursuing something that Jane is so passionate about. What a privilege it is to pave the path for others.”
