MACDONALD FOUNDATION OBSERVES 30TH ANNIVERSARY
By Lee Stephens
Coral Gables, FL. The Coral Gables based Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation observed its 30th Anniversary as a grant-making organization at its Annual Membership Meeting recently held at the Riviera Country Club.
DEANS AT ANNUAL MEETING:
Pictured (L-R): Foundation Chair Aldo C. Busot, Miami-Dade College Nursing School Dean Tommie Norris, University of Miami Nursing Dean Cindy Munro, Dr. Henri Ford, UM Medical School Dean, Ora Stickland, Dean FIU Nursing School, Barry University Nursing School Dean John McFadden, Foundation Managing Director John Edward Smith.
Foundation Chairman Aldo C. Busot, a Coral Gables resident and Morgan Stanley Sr. V.P., welcomed the members and guests to the evening. He commended on the long community service of the members of the board of directors who have a total of 378 years in service to the board, an outstanding legacy.
Foundation Chairman Aldo C. Busot
Highlighting the “points of pride” in the work done in the community, he noted that “in these 30 years, the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation has invested $48,786,936 in furthering the mission which is to provide funding for programs and projects designed to improve, preserve, or restore the health and health care of people living in Miami Dade county.”
Attending this celebratory 30th anniversary event were the deans of the four area nursing schools: Barry University, Florida International University, Miami-Dade College, the University of Miami, and the dean of the
University of Miami Medical School. Three of the major programs funded by the foundation reside at the University of Miami; they are: the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Genetics, the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, and the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation School Health Initiative which, for the last twenty-two years, provides direct comprehensive medical care to 15,000 students in nine Miami Dade County schools.
The Chairman announced that on occasion of its 30th Anniversary Year funding for student scholarships at the nursing and medical school would be increased by 100%, which news was gratefully received by the respective deans.
Managing Director John Edward Smith, in his remarks, provided a retrospective of the foundation’s history, and an appreciation of its namesake Dr. John T. Macdonald, the medical director of Pan American Airways and respected practitioner in Coral Gables and Miami.
The foundation had its origins when a group of doctors spearheaded by Dr. Macdonald worked to build Doctors’ Hospital in Coral Gables. Decades later, when the hospital was sold, the foundation was repurposed to be a charitable foundation. The proceeds of the sale of the hospital were invested into meeting today’s needs and tomorrow’s medical advances, funding over 300 community-based programs and addressing the many needs in the Miami-Dade County. Smith noted that “children, the elderly, veterans, the indigent, the underserved, the homeless have all benefitted from the foundation’s largesse in these thirty years, while making significant strides in applied medical research.”
Funding nursing and medical scholarships has been an important focus of the foundation. The deans of the four nursing schools each introduced a student scholar to speak of their aspirations, which was a very poignant aspect to the evening’s program.
University of Miami Medical School Dean Henri Ford addressed the guests, informing them of the great strides at the medical school. Dr. Ford is a preeminent researcher, physician, pediatric surgeon, and mentor. In his time at the UM he has laid the groundwork for transformative student experiences. Under Dr. Ford’s leadership the Miller School of Medicine has risen nine ranks in the U.S. New & World Report. He noted that the Miller School is No. 1 in the State of Florida for NIH funding, a powerful testament to the strength of their research and talent.
Dr. Ford introduced the Annual Meeting guest speaker, Margaret Pericak-Vance, Ph.D., a world- renowned geneticist known for her research on the genetics of common human diseases. Dr. Vance is the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department Professor of Human Genomics. Her research has led to a number of findings of genes that increase the risk of certain diseases, such as apolipoprotein E and Alzheimer’s disease, IL7R and multiple sclerosis, and complement factor H and macular degeneration.
Pericak-Vance excels at the integration of genomic and statistical technologies and their application to diseases of public health importance in general, and to neurologic diseases in particular. In her remarks she shared some of her research on genetic tracing in European, African, Native American populations.
FOUNDATION GRANTS
Local community-based organizations (CBOs) who address the Foundation’s mission are welcome to apply for an annual grant in amount up to $50,000.
On occasion of its 30th Anniversary, a multi-year Challenge Grant will provide seed funding for an innovative and inspiring program to serve the Miami Dade community’s identified needs. $1.5 million funding to be awarded to that single program which best responds to one or more of the foundation’s focus aspects in the core mission statement and funding priorities.
For additional information on the foundation’s grant programs, please visit the website: www.jtmacdonaldfdn.org and contact the foundation’s managing director
Miami-Dade College Nursing Scholarship recipient Victor Levi speaks of his work in the emergency room setting.
Barry University Nursing School Dean John McFadden with DJTMF Scholarship recipient Trishe Ann Thresha-Stewart
Annual Meeting reception
Renowned geneticist Dr. Margaret Pericak-Vance speaks at the annual meeting.
Medical School scholarship and award recipients Federic Vallejo (2nd from left) and Raymond Bennett (right) join Dr. Jeffrey Vance, Dr. Margaret Vance and UM School Health Initiative Medical Director Lisa Gwynn during the reception.
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Dean Henri Ford addresses the annual meeting guests.
