About Dr. Lou
Dr. Lourdes Cochingyan Gershman, known to her friends and associates as “Dr. Lou,” came from an influential family in the Philippines. Her father was a successful lawyer and community leader recognized for his generosity and dedication to others. Dr. Lou earned her M.D. in the Philippines, where she practiced pediatrics at a clinic she established in her father’s home. She often said that “seeing a sick child get well was like watching a flower bloom,” reflecting her deep compassion and love for children.
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To broaden her horizons, Dr. Lou left the Philippines and accepted an internship at Toronto Children’s Hospital before moving to Winnipeg to continue her medical work. She later practiced at Mounds Park Hospital in St. Paul, now Mounds Park Residence, before enrolling at the University of Minnesota (UMN), where she earned her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in Maternal and Child Health (MCH). During this time, she worked for the Minneapolis and then the St. Paul Health Departments in community outreach programs. Dr. Lou also partnered with other medical/health professionals to provide health screening programs to businesses for their employees.
Dr. Lou’s dedication to service extended beyond her professional career. After completing her graduate studies and marrying, Dr. Lou became an instructor with the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. As part of her work for the Red Cross she taught babysitting classes to young girls. She also taught CPR to her church community. Her colleagues described her as tireless, positive, and deeply committed to helping others. A petite woman with remarkable energy and spirit, she had an extraordinary ability to connect with people in a genuine and uplifting way.
Dr. Lou’s husband shared that “she was fearless and determined, and not easily discouraged by obstacles.” Her primary care physician once remarked that “she punched above her weight class,” a testament to her force of spirit. She was known for forming lasting friendships with people from all walks of life and for her gift of making everyone feel valued. As her husband recalled fondly, “One friend said in amazement, ‘She can really talk.’” Her interest in others extended to the staff at restaurants and hotels, who invariably responded with first class attention and service. Those who knew her also remember her delicious brownies and muffins, especially her banana nut muffins, which were in great demand.
Dr. Lou passed away on January 17, 2022 from congestive heart failure due to a defective heart valve, a condition that may have been hereditary.
Her husband lovingly remembered her with these words: “Privately, I called her LouLou, and she often called me ‘Old Man.’ She did everything quickly. I was fine moving at a more leisurely pace. Her favorite expression: “‘Bring me chips, Old Man.’”
“How could anyone not have loved her? She was courageous, and she brightened the lives of everyone around her, as she did mine. I would like to pay tribute to her parents. She was a reflection of their values. Her father taught her the importance of a good education. Her mother taught her to share her food with others. I was so lucky to have met and married her. How did we meet? She sneezed, I turned around, we started talking—and the rest is history.”
About the Dr. Lou Scholarship Fund
The Dr. Lourdes Cochingyan Gershman Scholarship for MCH provides financial support to UMN MPH students pursuing a graduate degree in MCH. This scholarship honors Dr. Lou’s work in MCH and child health, and her lifelong commitment to the health and wellbeing of others, both as a family care physician and as a public health practitioner.
Scholarship Testimonials
Click on the following videos to learn more about the unique experiences of Dr. Lou scholarship recipients.
“As someone with academic and professional interests in child development, [recognizing] the importance of early childhood experiences and trauma informed care, I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to receive this award.” –Sarah Vandenbergen, Dr. Lou Scholarship Recipient
“Your support has really helped me to pursue and do higher education in the first place. As a first generation American, college student, and graduate student, your support has really allowed me to pursue my dreams and my passions in the field of public health.” –Diana Augustin, Dr. Lou Scholarship Recipient
“Your support has allowed me to take care of my grandma during my studies who has Parkinson’s. It’s also just given me a driving force everyday to work as hard as I can.”
“Your support specifically around MCH is so impactful…your support gives me that reassurance that people really do believe in the impact of Maternal and Child Health and all the important things that go with it.” –Yekaterina Ivanchuk, Dr. Lou Scholarship Recipient
Contact
For information about the Dr. Lourdes Cochingyan Gershman Scholarship for MCH, please email MCH Program Chair Dr. Zobeida Bonilla at zbonilla @ umn.edu. You must be an enrolled UMN MCH graduate student to be eligible for this scholarship.