As vital as imagining the future is to this
mission, it is equally important to look
analytically at the present. The stark reality
of the medical needs facing our communities
and our state has never been more evident.
For every life positively impacted by the
various missions of UAMS, there are countless
others, that, with additional hospital
resources, could also benefit immeasurably.
Currently Arkansas ranks 46th in the nation
in key health care indicators – a sobering
reminder of the work that still remains to be
done. It also provides undeniable confirmation
that your gifts
are truly necessary and have
the genuine power to change lives. Despite the
challenges, it is the UAMS legacy that makes
even this monumental undertaking seem
ultimately achievable. Whether providing
today’s patients with compassionate treatment
or researching the cures of tomorrow, no other
state institution harbors the inherent ability to
generate such a profound transformation for
the people of Arkansas and beyond.
Imagine creating a better way of life.
The
Challenge.
Doing more
with less.
As mentioned, UAMS is
unique in its potential to
positively impact large and
diverse segments of the state’s
population. Yet as our state
grows, the demand for health
care and other essential UAMS
services also escalates. Unfortunately,
necessary funding is not keeping pace with
the increasing goals of the institution and
the needs of those it serves. In
fact, in many cases, funding is
actually decreasing – making
the need for private donations
absolutely critical to enduring success.
UAMS funding from many sources
has not kept pace with the increasing
goals of the institution and the needs
of those it serves. Larger Image
Like many government programs, the
National Institutes of Health, a major source
of UAMS research funding in the past, has
experienced deep budget cuts. A financial
loss of this magnitude could be devastating
for the illuminating array of groundbreaking
UAMS research efforts. Similar to the federal
government, the state of Arkansas is also
under constant budgetary strains, burdened
with not only funding health care, but also
education and infrastructure needs. UAMS
receives only 10 percent of its revenue from
the state – a number likely to decrease in
the future.
In addition to population growth and
limited resources in our state, another
future impediment for UAMS is the looming
retirement of the baby boom generation.
Arkansas ranks fourth in the nation in residents older than 65. This inevitably
means that more Arkansans than ever will be
depending on UAMS and, in turn, depending
on you.
Imagine the obstacles we can
overcome together.
Office of Development and Alumni Affairs
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
4301 W. Markham St., #716
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 686-8200 (tel.)
501-686-5067 (fax)
