School of Medicine

News and Publications

For immediate release:
June 22, 2006
Contact: Jennifer Day
(313) 577-1058
jday@med.wayne.edu

Meet the Challenge: Support the fund for the Mazurek Medical Education Commons

The Kresge Foundation recently awarded the Wayne State University School of Medicine $3 million to support construction of the Richard J. Mazurek, M.D., Medical Education Commons. But it comes with a challenge: The school must raise the balance of the project by July 1, 2007.

To date, $13 million has been raised toward the total project goal of $30 million as the university gears up for the second phase of its "Wayne First" capital fundraising campaign. Many generous donors have already dedicated their support; to help make a difference in this important effort, please contact Patty Paquin at ppaquin@med.wayne.edu .

"This challenge by The Kresge Foundation shows a great deal of confidence in the School of Medicine 's fundraising capabilities.” said Robert M. Mentzer, Jr., M.D., dean of Wayne State University 's School of Medicine . "The Richard J. Mazurek, M.D., Medical Education Commons will provide a much-needed academic center for students, faculty, alumni and the community. It will house world-class programs and technologies that will educate and inspire the next generation of physicians."

The 34,000-square-foot, two-story complex will be the nucleus of all programs for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education in the School of Medicine . Students will have “one-stop shopping” for all administrative, support and learning services.

Community residents will benefit from other resources available through the Commons such as educational programs, health information services and the commitment of Wayne State medical students to services for those in need.

The Kresge Foundation is a national foundation with $3 billion in assets. Through its grant making programs, The Kresge Foundation seeks to strengthen nonprofit organizations by catalyzing their growth, connecting them to their stakeholders, and challenging greater support through grants.

The foundation's core grant making activity is its Capital Challenge Grants program. In this program, the foundation focuses on opportunities to strengthen leadership and giving through challenge grants for capital projects. Projects supported include the construction and renovation of facilities, acquisition of property and purchase of equipment. Grant recipients have raised initial funds toward their respective projects before requesting foundation support. Kresge grants are then made on a challenge basis – requesting the raising of the remaining balance – by a deadline.

With more than 1,000 students, the Wayne State University School of Medicine is the nation's third largest medical school. Together with its clinical partners, the Wayne State University Physician Group, the Detroit Medical Center and other area health-care providers, the school is a leader in medical research and patient care with emphases on cancer; maternal-child health; neurosciences; and population studies and urban health.

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