Smith Scholar Spotlight

Burton D. Goodwin, M.D.

In 1954 Burton D. Goodwin became the first person in his family to graduate from college when he finished at the University of Virginia with help from four years of Norfolk Foundation scholarship funding. The Portsmouth native moved on to U.Va.’s medical school with help from the Foundation’s Florence L. Smith Medical Scholarship.

“My dad had health problems and was medically disabled. We had little or no money. For me a scholarship was critical,” recalls Goodwin, a retired Savannah radiologist.

After graduating from medical school in 1962 Goodwin settled in Savannah after residency and a few years in the Navy. He was director of diagnostic radiology at Memorial Health University Medical Center where he led the radiology residency program. He is proud of helping train 100 radiology residents and medical students.

In 2003 while doing some estate planning, Goodwin focused on ways to help other students achieve their dreams. He has arranged through the Hampton Roads Community Foundation to create a scholarship fund for Hampton Roads students.

“What goes around, comes around,” Good win explains. “I had such a hard time getting into college because of my finances that I want to be able to help other deserving students.”