Record Funding Award Given to Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

ATHENS, OH--(Marketwire - Apr 30, 2011) - The Osteopathic Heritage Foundations' $105 million award to Ohio University's College of Osteopathic Medicine represents the largest private donation ever given to a college or university in Ohio. This gift will be used to address some of the most pressing health care issues across the state and the nation -- the impending shortage of primary care physicians and the diabetes epidemic.

The transformational gift was jointly announced by the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-COM) and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations in Columbus, Ohio, during the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium.

"We have never before considered a grant or an award of this magnitude," said Richard A. Vincent, President and CEO of the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations. "Nor have we considered an award that has the potential impact that this one will have in both central and southeast Ohio. Given the urgent needs in health care, like an impending shortage of primary care physicians and a burgeoning epidemic of diabetes and related illnesses, the time was right and the choice of a recipient was clear."

"We feel that Ohio University, and its College of Osteopathic Medicine, specifically, are in the best position to facilitate addressing these issues," he said.

In recognition of the award, the medical school will be renamed the Ohio UniversityHeritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, pending approval by Ohio University's Board of Trustees at its June meeting.

According to a Chronicle of Higher Education report published in March detailing private cash gifts given to universities and colleges since 1968, the award:

• is the largest gift given to a higher education institution in Ohio;
• is the fourth largest gift in 2011 to an institution of higher education in the U.S.;
• is the fourth largest gift ever given to a U.S. medical school;
• ranks among the top 50 gifts ever given to a higher education institution in the U.S.

"This is a really remarkable gift, one that will be transformational for both Ohio University and the College of Osteopathic Medicine," said Dr. Jack A. Brose, Dean of OU-COM.

"This historic gift from the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations will forever change Ohio University and our College of Osteopathic Medicine," said Roderick J. McDavis, Ohio University President. "We are grateful to the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations for their commitment which will dramatically broaden our ability to improve the human condition of the people of Ohio. This gift will transform lives."

As a result of this award, the college plans to build a new Diabetes/Endocrine Clinical Treatment Research Center on the Athens campus, which will attract prominent researchers to Athens. The new center will also serve diabetic patients better and enhance programs designed to prepare primary care physicians in diabetes management and research.

Part of the award will also help fund a new research facility for the Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI).

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