The Medical School of the Future - Case Study Example

Running Head: Case ment Case ment: Medical Education Facility at MESA Campus A.T. Still In the challenging endeavor of fundraising, the MESA Campus of the A.T. Still University is earmarking philanthropic activities to source their $75million medical education facility. This essay would present specific statements on pursuing the plan. Introduction The A.T. Still University’s origin can be traced in 1892 when Andrew Taylor Still founded the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM), located in Kirksville, Missouri. (ATSU 2008) The Mesa Campus located in Arizona is also famously known as the Valley of the Sun due to the 300 days in a year that the sun gloriously shines in this location. There are three (3) schools in the campus with the School of Osteopathic Medicine being branded as the “Medical School of the Future” (ATSU 2008). In this regard, a $75 million medical education facility is planned to be housed in the campus to implement innovative strategies and develop advanced facilities to make medical education a highly sought of profession in the future. History of the organization For 117 years, the A.T. Still University has provided a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to healthcare education. It has two campus locations: in Kirksville, Missouri and in Mesa, Arizona. As of 2008, the Mesa campus boasts of a population of 452,933. The three distinct schools in the Mesa Campus are the School of Dentistry, the School of Health Sciences and the School of Osteopathic Medicine. A staggering 94 percent of full time students have been awarded with University Scholarships and Federal Financial grants. Purpose of the organization The official website of A.T. Still University clearly and explicitly outlined its mission, to wit: “the mission of A.T. Still University is to educate students to become competent healthcare professionals who continuously develop and demonstrate compassion, integrity, and ability, while advancing osteopathic principles and philosophy. The institution is committed to scholarly inquiry that anticipates and addresses society’s healthcare needs. The University encourages its constituencies to become leaders in improving community health and wellness with a comprehensive appreciation of the interaction of body, mind, and spirit.” (ATSU 2008) Services of the organization Being a holistic health care organization, the university has nine doctorate and eleven masteral level degree programs as well as certificate programs on orthodontics. There are three doctoral level degrees offered online: Doctor of Health Education, Transitional Doctor of Audiology and Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy. On the other hand, five masteral degree level programs are currently offered online: Adanced Occupational Therapy, Advanced Physical Assistant Studies, Geriatric Health, Health Administration, and Public Health. (ATSU 2008) Challenges faced by the organization In the most recent news releases from the Communications and Marketing of ATSU dated 11 September 2009, ATSU has forged an agreement with the Truman State University “to host the first Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Symposium”. According to Neil Sargentini, Ph.D., microbiology/immunology chair at KCOM and chair of the symposium program committee, “our goals are to identify new areas of biomedical research that potentially will lead to advances in total person healthcare and wellness and to identify local resources and opportunities for research.” The “Medical School of the Future” was formed to answer the forecasted demands in shortage of physicians. “ATSU formed Blue Ribbon Committees of national healthcare experts, medical educators, and technology experts to develop a new, modern, technology-driven curriculum that will serve as a model to move the osteopathic medical profession to a leadership position in medical education.” (ATSU 2008) Strategic plans of the organization In conjunction with the plans of developing a new, modern and technology driven curriculum at the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (SOMA), several developmental changes in the structure (buildings, equipment, design, campaign costs), human resources, training, and other administrative and overhead expenses need to be addressed. Only recently, the SOMA students received funding for their training in the field of local community health care for underserved populations. (ATSU News Releases 2008) Goals of the organization The Mesa Campus strives to uphold the high standards of medical excellence through providing quality medical and healthcare education programs. The strategic plans of offering an innovative curriculum coupled with modernizing technologies and medical equipments and supplies require considerable funding to attain their goals. To solicit financial support for various plans and endeavors, the A.T. Still University has consistently tapped donors through specialized organizations such as the Still Society and the Legacy Society. As stipulated under the official website on support at ATSU, the “A.T Still University is a private, not-for-profit institution and therefore relies upon the philanthropic spirit and gifts of our donors. (ATSU 2008) Purpose of the fundraising efforts “Through their charitable investments, Still Society members ensure the future of the University by: assisting in the recruitment/retention of highly skilled student doctors and faculty; sustaining ongoing programs and academic departments; maintaining existing structures, expanding facilities, and integrating advanced technology in medical education; and ensuring financial resources to allow the University to capitalize on new opportunities.” (ATSU 2008) With the strategic plans for the “Medical School of the Future”, the $75 million proposed budget for the medical education facility at Mesa campus would be earmarked for the following: Buildings………………………………… $30,000,000 Sitework…………………………………. 7,500,000 Equipment……………………………….. 15,000,000 Capital Campain Costs………………….. 2,500,000 Structural Design……………………….. 5,000,000 Human Resources……………………….. 2,500,000 Training…………………………………. 2,500,000 Administrative/Overhead Costs………… 5,000,000 Licenses, Dues, Miscellaneous…………. 5,000,000 Benefits to the donors for involvement Donors for involvement receive the following concrete benefits aside from the self-fulfillment experienced by being aware that their contributions would benefit health practitioners in the future, to wit: “a signed letter of appreciation and lapel pin or plaques of recognition to symbolize their membership; inclusion on mailing list for Healthy Investments, a quarterly financial and estate planning newsletter; recognition as a Legacy Society and/or Still Society member in appropriate University publications (if desired); and invitations to special University events, among others.” (ATSU 2008) Conclusion Contemporary organizations have several sources for fundraising to support strategic plans and goals. Philanthropic activities provide a timely source to raise appropriate funds which benefit various endeavors. At A.T. Still University, management has recognized that their donors and specialized organizations remain the source of generous financial funds and gifts for their future plans. It is just a matter of explicitly relaying the future goals of the organization and designing means to support these goals with the generous help of partners and friends. References A.T. Still University (ATSU). (2008). About our University. Retrieved 12 September 2009 from ATSU News Releases. (2008). ATSU-SOMA student training projects receive funding. Retrieved 12 September 2009 from Read More