Gift to UNE highlights College of Osteopathic Medicine's commitment to Maine patients
The University of New England announced a generous contribution of $500,000 to its capital campaign from the MaineHealth Osteopathic Heritage Fund (OHF). The gift will be used to provide scholarship support for students at UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM).
The Osteopathic Heritage Fund was established at the time of the merger between Maine Medical Center and the Brighton Medical Center in 1995. Under the control of the parent organization, MaineHealth, income was designated to recognize and promote the heritage of osteopathic medicine generally, to provide resources for osteopathic continuing medical education, and to promote collegial interactions between osteopathic and allopathic physicians.
Since its inception the Osteopathic Heritage Fund has committed more than $1 million to UNE COM, including more than $500,000 to fund the New England Osteopathic Heritage Center on UNE’s Biddeford Campus. "Over the past two decades MaineHealth has supported several strategic initiatives at UNE with OHF funding. In each case we found our partnership with UNE to be fulfilling and consistent with our shared desire to improve the health and well-being of Maine residents," stated MaineHealth President Bill Caron, "and we are thrilled that UNE will use this latest grant to provide much needed scholarship support to students at the College of Osteopathic Medicine, who will help fill the critical need for physicians in our state and region."
UNE’s President Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., stated: "Many graduates of UNE's College of Osteopathic Medicine go on to practice in MaineHealth hospitals and clinics. We are grateful for their support of osteopathic medical education and clinical training and appreciate their ongoing support of our students. This scholarship gift will help a new generation of physicians in Maine."
Read the Courier's coverage of the news.
To learn more about the College of Osteopathic Medicine, visit www.une.edu/com