The trust was created as an endowment for the Family Medicine Department in 1994. The purpose is to promote research and development in the discipline of Family Medicine with the ultimate goal of creating an Endowed Chair and Professorships of Family Medicine. Tax deductible donations can be sent to D. Melessa Phillips, M.D., Professor and Chairman, Department of Family Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216.