WATSONVILLE — Dr. Stan Hajduk was known for his humanitarian deeds as a life-long Rotary member and advocate for health programs and social justice.
Hajduk died in 2016 at the age of 74, leaving his fellow classmates from USC Medical School searching for ways to honor his legacy.
During a recent reunion of the Class of 1968, Hajduk’s friends and classmates decided to establish a scholarship fund in his memory to help other medical students pursue their dreams.
Now, the group has raised enough money to sponsor its first student at USC, and is looking to the community to help reach more students through donations.
Fellow USC 1968 graduate and friend Dr. Kent Benedict said the scholarships will go to students who are poised to follow in the footsteps of Hajduk.
“He was a model for many of the young physicians coming into the community,” Benedict said.
Hajduk, who served three times as chief of staff at Watsonville Community Hospital, sat on the Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust Board of Directors from its inception, and was a 25-year member of the Rotary Club of Capitola-Aptos. He also co-founded the first fully board-certified emergency specialty group in the entire Monterey Bay area.
Benedict added that Hajduk was adored by many for being a “giving person,” getting involved in many different community efforts, while still managing a busy schedule as an emergency room physician.
“Stan was the perfect emergency room doctor,” he said. “He had the brains and the agility.”
To make a donation to the fund, visit keck.usc.edu/giving/classof1968 or make a check payable to Keck School of Medicine of USC, memo line Stanley Hajduk Memory Fund and mail to Kadee McCorkle, Keck School of Medicine of USC, 1975 Zonal Ave., KAM B16, Los Angeles, CA 90033-9026.
For information, contact McCorkle at (323) 442-1013 or [email protected].
