With a new $300,000 gift, the Kriegshauser Family makes a Regis Education Possible

Dr. Larry Kriegshauser still remembers when he first knew he wanted to be a doctor — it all started in a high school biology class. Thanks to a scholarship from Regis, he was able to follow that dream without worrying about student debt.

“That scholarship had a major impact on my life,” said Dr. Kriegshauser, who graduated from Regis College in 1974. “Because that was really what finalized the fact: ‘Yes, I am going to go ahead and at least go into pre-med and try to get to med school. If I don't make it after four years because of the scholarship, I won't be drowning in debt.’”

Dr. Kriegshauser went on to build a long and distinguished career as an orthopedic surgeon, earning recognition for both his skill and dedication to patient care. He and his wife, Dianne — a nurse who trained at Saint Louis University — raised three children, all of whom found their way into the healthcare field. Today, their family is deeply rooted in the Denver area and in service to others.

“The healthcare field is kind of the family business now,” he said with a smile. His eldest daughter earned her Accelerated BSN degree and his younger daughter, who already had a BSN degree, earned her NP degree at Regis. His sons-in-law serve as a flight nurse and the chief of South Metro Fire, respectively.

The Kriegshausers recently made a $300,000 commitment to establish an endowed scholarship to support pre-medical students in perpetuity. The scholarship was created to ease the financial burden of higher education for future healthcare leaders on the cusp of medical school — just as a scholarship once did for him. 

“My mother was very Catholic and the idea that people who’ve received a lot in their life should give back was instilled in me early,” he said. “I feel fortunate. My medical career worked out great. And I’ve always believed in helping others have that same chance.”

Although retired, Dr. Kriegshauser is an avid reader of medical journals and remains attentive to the challenges facing the next generation of healthcare professionals. “It’s hard, and it’s changing a lot,” he said. “But my hope is that this scholarship helps someone who might not otherwise be able to pursue medicine — someone like me.”

On behalf of the Regis community, I extend my deep gratitude to the Kriegshauser family for exemplifying the Regis mission through their enduring values, service, and generosity.

Kindly,