In my role as senior director of major gifts for the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, I am constantly inspired by generous contributions from alumni and donors – and the past year has been no exception.
The Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry is gaining great momentum in its $16 million fundraising campaign to equip the state-of-the-art dental clinics planned for a new building on the Bannatyne campus.
The support for this campaign has been amazing. We hear heart-warming stories from both first-time and ongoing donors.
One alum donor recounted: “I owe my success, my quality of life and where I am today [to] the University of Manitoba. The dental school took a chance on me, and it’s the least I can do to help pay it forward. I’m honoured to be able to help provide a top-quality facility for future students.”
We look forward to announcing a transformational gift to this project during UM Homecoming in September. If you’re interested in hearing more about the plans and the campaign, reach out! We would be happy to connect.
The Max Rady College Medicine will soon start awarding new bursaries to medical and graduate students, thanks to the 140th Anniversary Student Support Fund that was established last fall. More than $100,000 was raised for this fund through the support of individual donors and the proceeds from the 140th anniversary gala held in November 2023.
On another inspiring day last November, Jacquie Ripat [BMROT/ 92, M.Sc./98, PhD/11], professor of occupational therapy, was appointed the first Endowed Chair in Technology for Assisted Living at the College of Rehabilitation Sciences. The chair, funded by donations to the Health Sciences Centre Foundation and UM, focuses on cutting-edge technology to help people live independently.
The research chair brings together HSC Foundation donors’ contribution of $1.5 million and UM donors’ contribution of $1.5 million to support leadership, scholarship and mentorship in this emerging field.
We recently launched the campaign for a $200,000 endowment to fund the first entrance scholarship for the UM master’s program in genetic counselling. This scholarship for students from marginalized or under-represented backgrounds will help to improve access to the program and increase diversity in the genetic counselling profession.
In another exciting project, we’re aiming to create two fully donor-funded research positions – a professorship and a chair – dedicated to mental health research.
Supporting research is also the goal of a donor who stepped forward to generously fund the first research professorship in the Rady Faculty to be dedicated to Indigenous health. We are currently developing the terms of reference for this much-anticipated position.
If your class is celebrating a milestone reunion this year, I hope you will contribute to class gifts that have been established across all five Rady colleges. This is a meaningful way to join with your former classmates in leaving a legacy.
Our team meets every day with donors and alumni from across all five colleges. Many conversations are underway to support the needs of our students and researchers.
Ready to talk about how you can make a difference in the lives of our students or in our research program? We would be happy to discuss options for how you can make a gift today or in your estate plans.
Kyla Denisuik
Senior Director, Major Gifts, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
kyla.denisuik@umanitoba.ca
Donor Relations: 204-474-9195