An Indian doctor couple donates US$500,000 to American medical schools: “It is very meaningful to give back in a small way”
Dr. Rakesh Gupra and Dr. Vinita Gupta, an Indian-American physician couple and philanthropists, have donated $500,000 to Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine. The university said $100,000 of the total will be immediately available as merit scholarships for students entering the class of 2026 and 2027. The remaining $400,000 will be invested as an enrichment scholarship and awarded at the end of the first year of medical school to students who meet the prescribed criteria.The Gupta family calls the community of Fayetteville, North Carolina, home and has been committed to community service for decades. Methodist University is a private university in Fayetteville, and the Gupta family has served on the university’s board of trustees for many years. Dr. Rakesh Gupta was one of the members who helped conceive the medical school.The university honored Rakesh Gupta with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award and Vinita Gupta with the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award in recognition of their continued generosity. Presented since 1925, these awards recognize community members who embody high character and a humble servant’s heart, placing service above self-interest.“They are generous donors to the University of Michigan, including most recently with a substantial scholarship to the School of Medicine. They are also two of the kindest, most passionate people I know,” said Methodist University President Stanley T. Weldon.
Who is the Fayetteville community’s favorite doctor couple?
The Guptas are now retired after long service to the community. Dr. Vinita is a U.S. Army veteran who served as a pediatrician at Womack Army Medical Center for 25 years. Rakesh Gupta is a gastroenterologist.They met while studying at Belgaum Medical College in India. After marrying, they moved to New York City, where Rakesh Gupta completed residency training at Lincoln Medical Center in 1985 and fellowship training in gastroenterology at SUNY Brooklyn Medical School in 1987.Dr. Vinita completed her pediatric residency requirements at Lincoln Medical Center. She joined the Army and was assigned to Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg in 1989. In 1990, Rakesh Gupta came to Fayetteville with his wife to join the private practice of Dr. Wes Jones, which later became the Cape Fear Center for Digestive Diseases.The Gupta family is a member and leader of many community boards and organizations, including the Cumberland Community Foundation, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, and supporters of Better Health, Nursing Clinic, Children’s Advocacy Center and the Cape Fear Regional Theatre.In 2010, they helped found the local Hindu Bhavan Temple, where they volunteer and teach Sunday school.Their two sons Ashish and Amit also work in the health department.“Our journey has been so joyful and enriching. We have made so many friends along the way, and giving back in a small way is very meaningful and we are grateful for the opportunity,” said Guptas, a senior, about their gift to the university.
