First-Ever UAMS Day of Giving Aims to Raise $250,000 in 24 Hours
| Sept. 27, 2017 | On Oct. 5, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) will celebrate its first-ever Day of Giving, a 24-hour push to support the state’s only academic health sciences university through donations to its foundation.
With a goal of $250,000, the campaign is the largest single-day philanthropic effort in the history of the institution.
“As we continue our mission to improve health and health care in Arkansas, we must continue to rely in part on the generosity of those around us,” said UAMS Interim Chancellor Stephanie Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D. “UAMS is fortunate to have the support of so many, going all the way back to 1879 when eight physicians donated funds to start the medical school that has grown into an academic health center and research leader.”
More than 1 million patients each year are seen by UAMS faculty at its main campus, regional campuses, the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. UAMS graduates nearly 1,000 doctors, nurses, pharmacists and medical professionals each year, the majority of whom stay in Arkansas to practice.
State appropriations are only about 6 percent of UAMS’ $1.5 billion annual budget. Patient care revenue makes up the lion’s share, or 75 percent, and includes significant support from the Medicaid expansion of Arkansas Works. As state appropriations remain flat from year to year, and needs continue to grow, UAMS seeks additional philanthropic support from around the state.
The UAMS Day of Giving will run exactly 24 hours, beginning at 6 a.m., Oct. 5, and ending at 6 a.m. Oct. 6. Gardner will kick off the day’s events by making the first donation.
All funds raised will support the various programs, funds, colleges or institutes chosen by the donor. Gifts are tax deductible and can be made online at dayofgiving.uams.edu, on the phone during normal business hours at 501-686-8200, or in person at the offices of Institutional Advancement at UAMS. A gift of any amount to any program or fund of the donor’s choice will count toward the $250,000 goal.
Throughout the day, supporters of the initiative can share stories on social media about how UAMS has made a difference for them using the hashtag #UAMSDayofGiving.
“Philanthropy is crucial to advancing our mission at UAMS,” said Lance Burchett, UAMS vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement. “This Day of Giving is a wonderful opportunity to show appreciation to the physicians, nurses, faculty and staff who work to transform the lives of our students, patients and their families. We are fortunate to have the generosity and commitment of individuals, corporations and organizations that support us.”
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute, Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 3,275 students, 890 medical residents and fellows, and five dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 12,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube or Instagram.###