Signature Programs

The Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation's Signature Programs At the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine are transforming healthcare in South Florida and the world beyond.

In 2000, The Foundation established the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation School Health Initiative, in conjunction with the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine to provide comprehensive, primary health care, and mental health counseling to school children in Miami-Dade County. Run by the Miller School's Department of Pediatrics, the initiative operates health suites in nine Miami-Dade County schools that serve all children regardless of their ability to pay.  By focusing on the whole child and emphasizing risk assessment, prevention, and early diagnosis and treatment, the School Health Initiative makes a difference in the lives of thousands of children, helping to keep them healthy, in school, and ready to learn.

In 2007, the Foundation established the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics at University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.  This international center of excellence in human genetics, genomic research and clinical genomic medicine is one of the leading hubs for translational research where state-of-the-art technology and tools are used to inform physicians of both the treatment and prevention of genetic-related diseases. 

In 2012, the Foundation committed its support to establish the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute at the University of Miami (BioNIUM). This is a collaborative initiative focused on exploring the implications of nanotechnology on medical science and providing researchers with the latest ground-breaking technology in this fast-growing field. The use of nanotechnology in medicine offers unmatched potential in terms of early detection of disease, targeted delivery of specialized treatments and restoring tissues and organ function.