The newest endowed chair at Baystate Health carries on the legacy of excellence of Dr. Emil M. Ferris, a beloved community pediatrician who opened his office in Chicopee in 1950 and practiced for fifty-three years. His son, Paul T. Ferris, recently made a generous gift to establish The Emil M. Ferris, MD Endowed Chair of Pediatrics at Baystate Health to carry on his father’s commitment to exceptional clinical care, a vibrant research environment, and excellence in the education and training of medical students, residents, and fellows.
“My dad started work at 7:30 am and was always on the go,” remembers Paul. “He put his patients first and would make phone calls, home visits, or open his office on weekends to ensure patients had the best in care. He took care of patients regardless of their ability to pay. He also had an incredible ability to diagnose patients, spotting rare or complex conditions because he was skilled at connecting seemingly unrelated symptoms. He knew his patients’ family histories, lifestyles and environments and listened closely to what his patients were not telling him, letting his strong medical intuition guide him.”
Over the years, Dr. Ferris was proud to educate and train scores of interns and residents who benefited from his years of experience working with children and his deep love of medicine. Dr. Ferris was on the medical staff at Mercy Hospital, the former Springfield Hospital, and Wesson Memorial Hospital, which became Baystate Medical Center. He also served as an associate clinical professor of Pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine at Baystate Medical Center where he regularly attended Pediatric Grand Rounds.
Dr. Ferris never missed an opportunity to further his own learning. He urged everyone to learn, listen, and continually do better for their patients. To honor his commitment to education, part of Paul’s gift will carry on his father’s exuberant spirit with an annual visiting lectureship called the Dr. Emil M. Ferris Education Day as part of Grand Rounds for Baystate Children’s Hospital and our pediatric team across the community.
Dr. Ferris also channeled his love of learning into understanding the stock market, joining with friends to gain knowledge through an investment circle. Paul credits his father’s deep investment savvy to his own ability to make this gift. “If it weren’t for my father’s investment advice in 1997, particularly with Apple stock, this gift probably would never have happened. It is because of him that I am able to make this donation. Things go full circle.”
Paul has also worked hard his whole life, starting in the software business in the early eighties and then in advertising for 21 years. In his first job out of college, he saw how poorly older salesmen were treated. This motivated him to follow in his father’s footsteps in developing his investment knowledge, with the goal of having flexibility and freedom in his career. It worked, and Paul was able to leave the business world for a twenty-five-year career as a private ski instructor. Surrounded by good friends, gorgeous landscapes, and a caring community out West, Paul is grateful for what he has and pleased to be able to give back.
Paul’s thoughtful gift creates one of Baystate Health’s most effective tools for attracting and retaining top-tier clinical leaders – offering them a named, endowed chair. Endowed chairs are a long-term investment in outstanding people, delivering sustained income to allow leaders to take bold and innovative steps in education, research, and patient care, with the ultimate goal of bringing the best care to the community.
The Emil M. Ferris, MD Endowed Chair of Pediatrics is held by the current chair of Pediatrics and the Pediatrician-in-Chief for Baystate Children’s Hospital, Matthew D. Di Guglielmo MD, PhD, FAAP, who joined Baystate in 2025, following a national physician leadership search. Dr. Di Guglielmo brought almost two decades of experience in pediatric medicine, medical education, scholarship, and physician leadership.
“I am deeply moved that my position as Chair of Pediatrics is now forever associated with Dr. Emil M. Ferris,” says Dr. Di Guglielmo. “Dr. Ferris made such a profound difference as a community pediatrician, serving as a trusted clinical expert and a cornerstone for patients and families with whom he had deep and long-standing relationships. As a general pediatrician myself, it is particularly special to hold an endowed chair position that honors a fellow general pediatrician. This transformative tribute gift from Paul allows the department to dedicate specific financial resources to innovative education, academic endeavors, faculty, and trainee career development, ultimately strengthening the caliber and reputation of Pediatrics at Baystate. I am honored to carry on Dr. Ferris’s legacy with this meaningful investment in the care of children in this region.”
When asked what inspired him to make this gift, Paul shares, “I had been thinking about giving for a very long time - this is the right gift at the right time at the right place. My financial advisor shared the benefits of charitable giving as a way to save on taxes, especially with estate planning. Instead of a huge chunk of my estate going to federal taxes, I can direct funds to memorialize my father and give to something he was very passionate about – pediatrics & pediatrics education – in the community he loved. And this is the right time - we are celebrating the Emil M. Ferris, MD Endowed Chair of Pediatrics on the twentieth anniversary of his death, which is so meaningful.”
As Baystate celebrates The Ferris Chair and continues to build for the future, Paul considers what advice he would share with others who might be willing to consider making a special gift to Baystate Children’s Hospital and Baystate Health Foundation. “If you are doing some tax and estate planning, and have a charitable side to you,” Paul notes, “this can be a big part of your estate plan – there are benefits to giving and personal satisfactions. You feel good. You benefit the recipient. And you get to honor a loved one– memorialize them. Plus, the money will grow forever to do more good in the years to come.”