Faculty, staff and students give nearly $1 million to John A. Burns School of Medicine

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Tina Shelton, (808) 692-0897
Director of Communications, Office of Dean of Medicine
Posted: Mar 31, 2016

Fund drive co-chair Larry Burgess, MD, with Dean Jerris Hedges (right) at the popcorn celebration.
Fund drive co-chair Larry Burgess, MD, with Dean Jerris Hedges (right) at the popcorn celebration.

Faculty, staff and students at the John A. Burns School of Medicne (JABSOM) have collected nearly a million dollars for the school by reaching into their own pockets.

JABSOM's annual Internal Giving Campaign raised $948,576 in donations and pledges — almost three times the goal of the 2015 drive.

Participation numbers were just as impressive, with 396 donors – 53% of JABSOM faculty and staff – contributing a portion of their salaries to support the medical school’s mission. Faculty and staff are able to choose from numerous funds to support, including those in their own departments, or to fund always-critical missions like travel, so MD students may train on the neighbor islands.

"We appreciate the support that our faculty, staff and students provide through their philanthropy during challenging financial times," said Dr. Jerris Hedges, JABSOM Dean. "It is a testament to their commitment to the mission of JABSOM in support of the people of Hawaiʻi."

Every year, the JABSOM Internal Giving Campaign holds a “mahalo” event where sweet treats are offered to thank participants for choosing to give back to JABSOM. That’s why the school's cafeteria smelled more like a movie theater on Friday, March 18, as packs of multi-colored kettle corn were distributed. 

The school's  2015 internal philanthropy drive was co-chaired by Dr. Lawrence Burgess (Director of the JABSOM Telehealth Research Institute) and Dr. Ivica Zalud (Chair of the JABSOM Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health). 

 “The large number of dollars and donors sends a strong message that those of us who work here believe in the school’s mission,” said JABSOM Development Director Elaine Evans of the University of Hawai’i Foundation. “Clearly, JABSOM is much more than a job to us.”

For more information, visit: http://jabsom.hawaii.edu