Engelstad Family Foundation Pledges $10 million Gift to Advance Roseman University's College of Medicine

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Roseman University College of Medicine today announced a $10 million pledge gift from the Engelstad Family Foundation to help advance the opening of Nevada's first private, non-profit, MD-granting medical school in Summerlin.

The donation, the largest in Roseman University's history, kicks off "Breakthrough in Medicine!," a $66 million fundraising campaign that will ensure the College of Medicine fulfills its mission to improve the health of the communities in southern Nevada by providing funding to hire the critical faculty and staff needed as it continues through the rigorous accreditation process. The College of Medicine is currently an applicant with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and has a goal to achieve accreditation to enroll its first class of 64 students in the summer of 2019.

"In addition to the institutional resources provided by Roseman University, this pledged gift is a significant step in our effort to raise the $66 million needed to establish a premier private, MD-granting medical school that will help Nevada communities overcome the chronic shortage of physicians and improve healthcare outcomes," said Mark A. Penn, MD, MBA, founding dean of the Roseman University College of Medicine.

"As a non-profit, private medical school, built without the support of state funding, we are extremely grateful for the generosity and support of the Engelstad Family Foundation and the many business and community members who have also embraced our mission and vision, and supported the College with philanthropic gifts. Additional support is needed as we work towards our goal of raising $66 million," added Penn.

In making the donation, the Engelstad Family Foundation stated, "The Engelstad Family Foundation applauds the work of Roseman University College of Medicine and their endeavor to raise $66 million to ultimately improve healthcare in Southern Nevada through their 'Breakthrough in Medicine' campaign for Roseman University's medical school in Summerlin – the first of its kind in Nevada."

According to Roseman University President Renee Coffman, PhD, in making this landmark pledge gift, the Engelstad Family Foundation will help transform the healthcare landscape in Nevada. "Roseman University and the Engelstad Family Foundation have a shared vision for our state's future – a Nevada where every resident has access to high-quality primary care and medical specialties," said Coffman.

About the Roseman University College of Medicine
Roseman University began building the foundation for its MD-granting College of Medicine in 2010 through the establishment of medical research programs. On December 13, 2013, the Board of Trustees of Roseman University unanimously approved the university's plan to develop an allopathic medical school in Southern Nevada. The College of Medicine is housed at Roseman University's Summerlin campus.

About Roseman University of Health Sciences
Founded in Henderson, Nevada in 1999, Roseman University of Health Sciences is a non-profit, private institution of higher learning training the next generation of undergraduate and graduate level health care professionals that serve, collaborate and set new standards in their communities and within their professions. With campuses in Henderson, Summerlin in Nevada and South Jordan, Utah, the University is comprised of the College of Dental Medicine, offering an Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics/MBA residency, Advance Education in General Dentistry residency and Doctor of Dental Medicine program; College of Pharmacy, offering a Doctor of Pharmacy and Professional Continuing Education; College of Nursing, offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing and RN to BSN; and an healthcare focused MBA program. Roseman University of Health Sciences will also offer a Doctor of Medicine through its College of Medicine once it becomes accredited. More than 4,000 Roseman graduates are caring for patients, conducting research, and engaged in public health and policy in Nevada, Utah and across the country. Roseman University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

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SOURCE Roseman University of Health Sciences