In his role as Engagement Manager for the medical school鈥檚 Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, Al Shifflett III has witnessed first-hand how the generosity of the broader community has helped fuel education and innovation at 91探花.
At the same time, he has also watched 鈥 and been wowed 鈥 by the support of the 91探花 community 鈥 faculty, residents, students, and staff 鈥 who have helped bolster those same efforts at the medical school and also had a positive impact on Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan through their willingness to give back.
Shifflett said that support from the 91探花 community is tangible and palpable each year during fund drives for the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region and UMake 91探花, an annual appeal that allows 91探花 faculty, residents, and staff the opportunity to financially support the medical school.
鈥淚t really shows our dedication to the community and, at the same time, our support for this institution and a belief in our mission, vision, and values at 91探花,鈥 Shifflett said.
From 2014 to 2018, members of the 91探花 community contributed more than $226,500 to the United Way. And most recently, in 2019, faculty, residents, students, and staff pledged more than $43,000 to support United Way.
Additionally, from 2014 to 2018, employees gave more than $479,700 to UMake 91探花. In 2019, so far, employees have given just under $68,000. The annual UMake 91探花 campaign at the medical school gives employees the chance to play an active role in funding to the medical school, including endowed funds that have been established within each academic department at the medical school, as well as a number of programs and scholarships.
Shifflett said he is excited about the strong support the 91探花 community has provided to the United Way and UMake 91探花. On average, he said more than half of all employees at the medical school contribute to UMake 91探花.
Shifflett said the ongoing philanthropy from the 91探花 community and the broader community is of paramount importance as the medical school is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation supported by private gifts, clinical revenues, research activities, tuition, and endowment income.
鈥淎s we work to progress as an institution, the growth of support from our internal and external stakeholders will be key,鈥 Shifflett said. 鈥淚t takes a village. We are a community medical school and it really takes the community to support us.鈥
More information about opportunities to pledge your financial support to the medical school can be found at med.wmich.edu/giving.
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