Impact Story: D. Grant Gilbert, ’71 MD

Member of the Henry and Emma Rogers Society, Lifetime Giving Society, and The Founders Society-NULC (Sustainer)

This story was published in The Founders Society Impact Stories, a publication that highlights leadership donors to various areas of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Read the whole issue here.

Growing up in a small Indiana town, Grant Gilbert, ’71 MD, had a childhood dream of entering the medical profession. One of five siblings and with a farmer-turned-junior high school math teacher dad, the aspiring physician anticipated that money for college would be nonexistent. While accepted to several medical schools, he was drawn to Northwestern’s commitment to providing medical students with sufficient financial support so they can complete their education. Receiving scholarships and loans, this Class of 1971 alumnus owed only $10,000 after earning his MD degree. “Given what medical students deal with today, it really wasn’t too bad!” Dr. Gilbert said.

After Northwestern, Dr. Gilbert trained as a pediatrician. But after a few years of clinical practice in Ohio, he was drawn to the variety and faster pace of adult emergency medicine. After transitioning to full-time general emergency medicine, he obtained his boards through “grandfathering” and went on to practice in emergency departments in downtown and suburban Cincinnati for more than 25 years, until he went deaf.

His own journey has given Dr. Gilbert a tangible appreciation for ensuring others have the same opportunity. A steadfast supporter of MD scholarships at Feinberg, he looks forward to celebrating his 55-year MD class reunion in 2026 and supporting the MD Class of 1971 Scholarship Fund.

“It is so important that we make medical education and training accessible to those individuals who have the temperament and the intellectual ability to care for patients,” he said. “As long as I can remember, Northwestern has always strived to support its students.”

A resident of Loveland, Ohio, the retired alum stays active with biking and visiting national parks. As a volunteer, Dr. Gilbert tutors students in the math lab at his local community college, where he enjoys helping people from a variety of backgrounds. He applauds Feinberg’s diverse student body. It is one of the reasons he has long supported the Impact Institute at Northwestern University, a program that advances health equity for all communities and conducts research on the health of LGBTQ populations.

“I think it is great that Northwestern welcomes all who are capable with open arms—no matter who you are or what you believe,” he said. “I just love it!”