FAYETTEVILLE : UAMS satellite campus close to $3 million goal
Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2008
FAYETTEVILLE — The state’s medical school expects to reach its $ 3 million fundraising goal for a northwest campus at the former Washington Regional Medical Center building by the end of the year, the school’s vice chancellor said Monday.
Announcements of other major donations should be coming soon, Dr. Peter Kohler, vice chancellor for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, said after a news conference where he and others revealed a $ 300, 000 donation by the Walton Family Foundation.
That donation was included in a figure unveiled in September when the school announced a $ 500, 000 pledge from the Care Foundation of Springdale that put the fundraising effort past its halfway point.
The $ 3 million goal is needed to update the hospital and provide teaching areas.
Monday’s news conference is part of a larger strategy, Kohler said, to show the state Legislature that there’s local support for a satellite campus, which will require about $ 3 million annually to run.
The new campus will help increase the number of trained doctors, nurses and pharmacists in the state, Kohler said. Classes are planned to begin in fall 2009 with about six students.
“The hope will be that the Legislature will provide a funding stream for the school — an appropriation,” Kohler said.
The Little Rock-based school will ask for the appropriation for the northwest campus when it seeks budget approval in January, he said.
“These are not great economic times, as we discussed. But the need is so great,” Kohler said. “I do believe we can make a very convincing argument for how important it is for the state. Hopefully it will be something the Legislature will want to fund.” In the meantime, Kohler and other school officials are trying to finalize funding for renovations to the building at the corner of North Street and College Avenue in Fayetteville. The school also is working to complete donor agreements. “We’re working hard toward the $ 3 million goal,” Kohler said. “I think we are very optimistic to close this thing out before the rest of this month, maybe sooner.” A second renovation phase will begin soon after the first capital campaign is finished. Plans are being developed to renovate surgical suites on the first floor into laboratory spaces and classrooms for students. A dollar amount for the second phase hasn’t yet been set.
To contact this reporter: aotoole@arkansasonline. com
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