Remembering Virginia 鈥淕inny鈥� Herrmann, M.D. (SOM 鈥�74)
Ginny Herrmann, M.D. (SOM 74), blazed a trail as one of the very few American female surgeons in the country when she launched her 45-year career as a breast specialist in the early 1980s.
Her pioneering spirit and passion for improving lives opened new possibilities for her female colleagues and students. Times were changing, and the traditional medical culture in St. Louis was shifting. Now, 50 years after she graduated at the top of her class from Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Herrmann鈥檚 legacy will continue to inspire new ways of serving others.
Committed to Catholic Education
After completing her surgical residency at SLU and her fellowship at Harvard Medical School, Herrmann joined the faculty at SLU鈥檚 School of Medicine in 1980. For nearly two decades, she taught, mentored and served as director of the nutrition support service, director of Home Health Services, co-director of SLU鈥檚 breast cancer program and vice chair of the Department of Surgery. In 1998, she joined the faculty of Washington University School of Medicine and provided medical care and genetic counseling for patients at a high risk for developing breast cancer.
Herrmann鈥檚 commitment to SLU鈥檚 mission throughout her career remained steadfast. Wishing for her legacy to support Catholic education, she named SLU鈥檚 School of Education a beneficiary in her estate plans as an 1818 Society member. In October 2023, just three days shy of her 74th birthday, Herrmann passed away after battling cancer for two years. An unprecedented bequest of $7.3 million to SLU鈥檚 School of Education will establish the Herrmann Center for Innovative Catholic Education, delivering academic and professional development for Catholic school leaders and supporting educational innovation for underserved populations.
A Historic Gift for SLU
鈥淕inny鈥檚 planned-giving contribution is historic, not only because it is the largest gift ever designated to SLU鈥檚 School of Education but also because of the tremendous impact the Herrmann Center will make on our students and Catholic education,鈥� said Sheila Manion, vice president for development at Saint Louis University.
Ronny O鈥橠wyer, S.J., president of De Smet Jesuit High School, knew Herrmann from her involvement at SLU and was responsible for starting the Billiken Teaching Corp program, which will be part of the Hermann Center鈥檚 efforts.
鈥淕inny was a person of deep faith, brilliant intellect and sharp wit. And as we discovered through this gift 鈥� a generous heart for those at the margins,鈥� O鈥橠wyer said. 鈥淕inny went to the Lord far too early, but her legacy will be one of healing and care for young people seeking to grow as saints and scholars in our Catholic schools.鈥�
Herrmann led with compassion. Her focus on the development and wellness of individuals, the common good, purpose, mission and faith served as the guideposts for her journey. She was a servant leader and an agent of change. And her lasting influence on the SLU community will be realized for generations to come.
鈥淕inny鈥檚 generosity is a beautiful testament to SLU鈥檚 mission as a Jesuit university and its influence on her career as a pioneering surgeon,鈥� Manion said. 鈥淲e are extremely grateful for her generous support of SLU and how she lived her life. She will always be remembered as a woman for and with others.鈥�