St. Luke’s University Health Network has announced that Tony and Adrienne DaRe have established the DaRe Family Chair for Medical Education, the health network’s first endowed chair dedicated specifically to medical education.
The endowed chair will support the Temple/St. Luke’s School of Medicine by providing funding for student financial aid, faculty development and educational innovation, while helping prepare future physicians to serve communities throughout the region.
Income generated by the fund supporting the endowed chair will be used to advance the medical school’s academic priorities.
“Adrienne and I have always believed that education is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in people and in the future of our communities,” said Tony DaRe, who leads BSI Corporate Benefits in Bethlehem. “That starts long before medical school. It means creating opportunities for students at every level, removing barriers where we can, and making sure talent and potential are not limited by circumstance. This endowed chair is another way we can invest in people who will ultimately come back and serve our communities for generations.”
The DaRes have supported nearly 30 colleges, universities, public schools and early-education organizations as part of their longstanding commitment to expanding educational opportunities.
“Education can change the trajectory of a person, a family, and ultimately an entire community,” added Adrienne DaRe. “We have been fortunate to support students and educational institutions in many of the communities we care deeply about, and this is a continuation of that commitment. For students who dream of becoming physicians, financial barriers should not determine whether that dream is possible. We hope this investment helps create opportunity, strengthens medical education, and allows more exceptional students to pursue a calling to care for others.”
Robert Wax, St. Luke’s senior vice president and general counsel, said the endowment represents a significant investment in the region’s future health care workforce.
“The DaRe family’s generosity represents a significant investment in the future of medical education in the Lehigh Valley,” said Robert Wax, St. Luke’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “By establishing this endowed chair, they are creating a lasting legacy that will expand opportunities for students, strengthen our academic programs, and help ensure that exceptional physician talent continues to be trained here in our region.”
Dr. Shaden Eldakar-Hein has been appointed the inaugural DaRe Family Chair for Medical Education.
Eldakar-Hein became St. Luke’s chief academic officer on Dec. 1, 2025, and continues to serve as senior associate dean of the Temple/St. Luke’s School of Medicine, a position she has held since 2020.
During her tenure, Eldakar-Hein helped expand the medical school into a full four-year campus, increased enrollment by 33% and helped grow its endowment to more than $30 million.
Approximately 30% of the school’s graduates remain at St. Luke’s for residency training each year, according to the health network.
St. Luke’s also credited Eldakar-Hein with strengthening the region’s physician workforce pipeline, achieving high student satisfaction rankings and helping graduates secure placements in prestigious residency programs across the country.
“I am deeply grateful for the DaRe family support and honored to serve as the inaugural DaRe Family Chair for Medical Education,” said Dr. Eldakar-Hein. “The DaRe’s remarkable commitment will help us promote innovation in medical education so that we can continue building an exceptional environment for educating future physicians.
“The DaRe’s personify the concept of ‘giving back to the community.’ Their example is a gift and inspiration to our medical students, who will pay it forward, putting their skills into practice by providing a range of volunteer support services throughout our community.”
St. Luke’s said the endowed chair will provide ongoing support for medical education while helping expand opportunities for students and strengthen the physician workforce serving the region.
