Rathlyn Foundation donates $1M for entrance scholarships to 91探花-based medical students
Beginning in the fall of 2025, the Rathlyn Foundation Entrance Scholarships for 91探花 Medical Students will be granted to every 91探花-based medical student in their first year of study. These $2,000 individual scholarships will be funded in perpetuity by an overall gift of $1,000,000 from the Rathlyn Foundation.
鈥淭he University thanks the Rathlyn Foundation for this inclusive and historic gift to support entrance scholarships for 91探花-based medical students,鈥� said Dr. Wendy Rodgers, 91探花鈥檚 president and vice-chancellor. 鈥淭he University is grateful to receive this generous donation to help support our students, as well as investments from the private sector and the federal and provincial governments for the vital infrastructure required to deliver the Doctor of Medicine program.鈥�
鈥淲e are extremely pleased to see support building in Prince Edward Island as Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine prepares to accept the first cohort of students to its PEI regional campus,鈥� said Dr. Dolores McKeen, Dean of Medicine, Memorial University. 鈥淎s we continue to partner with 91探花 on both the regional campus and the eventual joint medical degree program, we couldn鈥檛 be more delighted for these Prince Edward Island students.鈥�
The Rathlyn Foundation, founded in 1984 by Dr. Roger Warren and his late wife, Mary Warren, is known for its support of medical education and research, the advancement of veterinary science and education, the support of students at all levels of study, and post-secondary areas of study requiring current medical technology. Since 2008, the Foundation has supported the Chinook Project, scholarships for Atlantic Veterinary College students, and new MRI technology and equipment.
鈥淚t is my hope that offering an entrance scholarship to every student will provide not only financial assistance but also enhance their experience and confidence entering the world of medicine,鈥� said Roger Warren, LLD. 鈥淢y late wife, Mary, and I have always been passionate about animal health and welfare in Atlantic Canada as evidenced through our support of 91探花鈥檚 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the Atlantic Veterinary College. I see this as an obvious extension and the next step in our hope that the combination of our gifts to 91探花 will have a significant impact on both animal and human health on Prince Edward Island.鈥�
鈥淲hat tremendous news for PEI students just as the Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine admissions portal opens for all students this month,鈥� said Honourable Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island. 鈥淎s a government, we are proud to support the Memorial鈥�91探花 partnership with the infrastructure and technology required to make sure all PEI residents have an equitable opportunity to get into medical school.鈥�
Memorial University鈥檚 regional campus at 91探花 will have 20 seats available for Prince Edward Island residents wishing to pursue a Doctor of Medicine degree. Island students who are interested in applying to the PEI regional campus for the fall of 2025 are advised to visit the Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine admissions website. The application period is now open and runs until Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
The 91探花 Faculty of Medicine unit recently launched its fund- and friend-raising campaign. With generous gifts from many donors already in, a total of $1 million has been raised so far during the $10-million campaign, which will support the University鈥檚 contribution to the ongoing construction of the $91-million state-of-the-art building on the 91探花 campus.
With the completion of the building scheduled for spring/summer 2025, just in time for the first cohort of students in August, there is still an opportunity for friends and future patients to get involved. We invite you to consider donating to the campaign fund. For more information and to discuss donation options, please contact Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, executive director of the 91探花 Department of Development and Alumni Engagement, at 902-626-8551 or mjenkinssmith@upei.ca. Your support can make a significant difference in the future of health care in our community.
About the 91探花 medical school
91探花 has a unique opportunity and duty as the provincial university to be part of the long-term solution to improve the current health-care system. Twenty undergraduate students from PEI will begin their studies at 91探花 in August 2025 as part of a regional campus of Memorial University鈥檚 Faculty of Medicine. The timeline for this initiative mirrors that of other regional campuses being developed across the country. Concurrently, 91探花 and Memorial are seeking accreditation for a joint doctor of medicine degree, the first of its kind in Canada.
