By Amy E. Hamaker

The strength of a university can often be measured by the commitment of its alumni. Nowhere is that more apparent than at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, where alumnus Tony Alamo (’91), MD, recently helped bring a gift of $1 million to the school from a family friend.

At a lunch between Alamo, Keck School Dean Carmen A. Puliafito, MD, MBA, and Mike Ensign, retired chairman of the board of directors/CEO of Mandalay Resort Group, Alamo suggested a gift to benefit physicians, Keck Hospital of USC and Keck School students.

Alamo, founder and medical director of Alamo Medical Clinic in Henderson, Nev., was born and raised in Las Vegas alongside Ensign’s family. “They’re like my second set of parents,” he said. “My father worked with Mike all through his career for all but a few years, and I’d spend summers at his house.”

Alamo knew the Ensigns’ interest in philanthropy, and described the resources that are available to the community and to future physicians through research, education and clinical care at Keck Medicine of USC. “After he saw what was available at USC, he knew any gift here would keep on giving,” explained Alamo. “He’s a very philanthropic man.”

Alamo believes that USC alumni are the best ambassadors for Keck Medicine. “Once you make that connection, that handshake, they make the connection on their own — they see it,” he said. “The Ensigns could have given anywhere. I explained that USC is where they could get the most bang for their buck, where it would make the most difference. Through their hard work and good fortune, this is a way for them to be able to give back.”

The strength of a university can often be measured by the commitment of its alumni. Nowhere is that more apparent than at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, where alumnus Tony Alamo (’91), MD, recently helped bring a gift of $1 million to the school from a family friend.

At a lunch between Alamo, Keck School Dean Carmen A. Puliafito, MD, MBA, and Mike Ensign, retired chairman of the board of directors/CEO of Mandalay Resort Group, Alamo suggested a gift to benefit physicians, Keck Hospital of USC and Keck School students.

Alamo, founder and medical director of Alamo Medical Clinic in Henderson, Nev., was born and raised in Las Vegas alongside Ensign’s family. “They’re like my second set of parents,” he said. “My father worked with Mike all through his career for all but a few years, and I’d spend summers at his house.”

Alamo knew the Ensigns’ interest in philanthropy, and described the resources that are available to the community and to future physicians through research, education and clinical care at Keck Medicine of USC. “After he saw what was available at USC, he knew any gift here would keep on giving,” explained Alamo. “He’s a very philanthropic man.”

Alamo believes that USC alumni are the best ambassadors for Keck Medicine. “Once you make that connection, that handshake, they make the connection on their own — they see it,” he said. “The Ensigns could have given anywhere. I explained that USC is where they could get the most bang for their buck, where it would make the most difference. Through their hard work and good fortune, this is a way for them to be able to give back.”