The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation of Fairfax announced a $12.5 million challenge gift to the University Medical School in order to finance the construction of a new and advanced medical education building last month.
The gift -- the largest private donation to date for a Medical School building project -- will provide half of the necessary funding for the structure, leaving the University to raise the remainder of the building's $25 million anticipated cost.
In keeping with the Moore Foundation's stated mission to "enhance educational opportunities for young people," the building will contain the newest technologies for medical education, a Moore Foundation press release said. The Medical School said it plans to use Internet connections, multimedia classrooms and video systems in exam rooms to model the best and effective new methods for teaching students.
Arthur Garson, Jr., vice president and dean of the Medical School, emphasized the potential role of the new facility in developing better educational methods for teaching students.
"We're beginning to personalize how we teach medical students," Garson said. "This building, along with the brand new simulation center, will help us achieve this."
The simulation center is known as a medical simulation training center, and will be housed in the new facility upon its completion. With an additional $180,000 gift provided by the Claude Moore Foundation, the Medical School will purchase patient simulators, which are lifelike, computerized mannequins that exhibit programmed symptoms and respond to treatments. The simulators will allow medical students, residents and emergency medical technicians to hone their skills in realistic situations.
According to Garson, the Medical School is working with University architects to select a building site for the new facility, though actual construction lies three to four years in the future. "Construction is dependent upon matching the highly generous $12.5 million donation from the Claude Moore Foundation," he said.
University President John T. Casteen, III, in a University press release, thanked the Foundation for its generous gift and praised it as a model for other private donors. He said he hopes that the gift will inspire more donations in support of the Medical School's quest for excellence in medical education.
The Moore foundation's namesake, Dr. Claude Moore, graduated from the University's Medical School in 1916. Since its founding in 1987, the foundation has provided funds for the construction of the University's health sciences library, also named after Moore. In addition, the foundation established a professorship in his memory, which is currently held by Gerontology Prof. Diane Snustad.
Read More
Professor and researcher Daniel Flannery discusses youth violence and prevention
By Jackie Bond | 3 hours agoDr. Daniel Flannery discussed the cycle of violence from adolescence to adulthood, and the correlation between unrestricted gun access and mass violence.
Board of Visitors ends support for racial diversity goals
By Brendon Bordwine | 15 hours agoThe newly approved resolution, titled “Advancing Free Inquiry and Viewpoint Diversity at U.Va.”, calls for efforts to create a campus environment that supports open political dialogue, constructive debate and respect for differing perspectives.
Student Council unanimously approves Summer 2025 budget
By Lauren Seeliger | 18 hours agoUtilization rates refer to the amount of money actually used within the allocated budget — increasing these rates to prevent wasted money has been a primary goal of Student Council.
