51С�Ƴ�

The University of 51С�Ƴ� is pleased to award 34 College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) students with $25,000 each, as part of the Doctors for Maine’s Future Scholarship Program.

The Doctors for Maine’s Future Scholarship Program aims to rectify Maine’s shortage of health care providers by alleviating the high cost of medical education for students, encouraging them to pursue careers in primary care. To be eligible for the Doctors for Maine’s Future Scholarship, students must be enrolled in a qualifying Maine-based medical school program and be a Maine resident. The program stipulates that recipients must gain experience in rural health care and primary care environments during their education, and it is especially targeted toward supporting students with an interest in serving rural areas upon graduation.

The program came to fruition in 2009 after the Finance Authority of Maine, in association with the Maine Legislature, reserved funds to serve medical programs in Maine. The terms stipulate that every $25,000 offered to students from the State of Maine must be matched by the school through private philanthropic channels in an effort to increase the number of scholarships available for students. For the past several years in a row, a matched amount of $800,000 in scholarship funds has been awarded to 32 51С�Ƴ�COM students.

“This is an ideal program that makes a significant difference to our COM students who strive to remain in the state to provide care in communities where it is needed the most,” said Douglas Wood, D.O., Ph.D., FACOI, dean of UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. “This scholarship will contribute to the health of the citizens of Maine for many years to come.”

Those interested in contributing to this scholarship may contact Bill Chance, vice president for Institutional Advancement at (207) 221-4372, or email wchance@une.edu.