July 28, 2009 | Bank of America added to its long history of support for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) with the July 16 presentation of a corporate gift of $25,000.

The check, presented by Donald Cook, Bank of America central Arkansas president, was accepted by UAMS Chancellor I. Dodd Wilson, M.D., and Peter Emanuel, M.D., director of the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.

“Bank of America has been very generous to UAMS over the years. Their support has made a positive impact on the programs here at UAMS,” Wilson said. “This year they are giving to help educate cancer patients and we are honored to accept this gift.”

Bank of America, which has supported UAMS for 12 consecutive years, supports programs that serve low-to moderate-income populations. Cumulatively, Bank of America and its Foundation have given more than $300,000 to UAMS.

The gift from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will be divided between the Cancer Institute’s Ottenheimer Professional Education Center and the Chancellor’s Roundtable. The funds for the Patient Support Center were matched by the state.

“Our mission is to give back to the communities where we are located,” Cook said. “And we consider UAMS to be an anchor institution taking care of the citizens of the state. So, that makes it easy to partner with them.”

UAMS programs supported by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation are selected by local bank representatives.
Other areas at UAMS previously supported by Bank of America include the College of Pharmacy, Dental Hygiene Clinic, College of Nursing, BioVentures, and the Psychiatric Research Institute.

“Support for each of these areas allows UAMS to grow and maintain projects for low- to moderate-income Arkansans and to allow them greater access to health care and health screenings,” Wilson said. “UAMS is grateful for Bank of America’s continued support.”

The Ottenheimer Professional Education Center – formerly known as the Ottenheimer Cancer Education Center – is on the 10th floor of the Cancer Institute and focus on cancer education for health care professionals. The patient and family education component of the center, now known as the Patient Support Center will move to the first floor of the Cancer Institute following completion of the Patient Support Pavilion.