UNIVERSITY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Rathlyn Foundation donates $1 million to provide entrance scholarships to all UPEI-based medical students

Beginning in the fall of 2025, the Rathlyn Foundation Entrance Scholarships for UPEI Medical Students will be granted to every UPEI-based medical student in their first year of study. These $2,000 individual scholarships will be funded in perpetuity by an overall gift of $1,000,000 from the Rathlyn Foundation.

The Hon. Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island, recently toured the facility being constructed on the UPEI campus that will house medical students, a 10,000-patient medical home, and an interprofessional clinical learning and simulation centre. Joining Premier King on the tour from UPEI were (left to right) Dr. Preston Smith, Dean of Medicine; Dr. Wendy Rodgers, President and Vice-Chancellor; and Dr. Greg Keefe, Advisor to the President. 

 

"The University thanks the Rathlyn Foundation for this inclusive and historic gift to support entrance scholarships for UPEI-based medical students," said Dr. Wendy Rodgers, UPEI's president and vice-chancellor. "The University is grateful to receive this generous donation to help support our students, as well as investments from the private sector and the federal and provincial governments for the vital infrastructure required to deliver the Doctor of Medicine program."

"We are extremely pleased to see support building in Prince Edward Island as Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine prepares to accept the first cohort of students to its PEI regional campus," said Dr. Dolores McKeen, Dean of Medicine, Memorial University. "As we continue to partner with UPEI on both the regional campus and the eventual joint medical degree program, we couldn't be more delighted for these Prince Edward Island students."

The Rathlyn Foundation, founded in 1984 by Dr. Roger Warren and his late wife, Mary Warren, is known for its support of medical education and research, the advancement of veterinary science and education, the support of students at all levels of study, and post-secondary areas of study requiring current medical technology. Since 2008, the Foundation has supported the Chinook Project, scholarships for Atlantic Veterinary College students, and new MRI technology and equipment.

"It is my hope that offering an entrance scholarship to every student will provide not only financial assistance but also enhance their experience and confidence entering the world of medicine," said Roger Warren, LLD. "My late wife, Mary, and I have always been passionate about animal health and welfare in Atlantic Canada as evidenced through our support of UPEI's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the Atlantic Veterinary College. I see this as an obvious extension and the next step in our hope that the combination of our gifts to UPEI will have a significant impact on both animal and human health on Prince Edward Island."  

"What tremendous news for PEI students just as the Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine admissions portal opens for all students this month," said Honourable Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island. "As a government, we are proud to support the Memorial-UPEI partnership with the infrastructure and technology required to make sure all PEI residents have an equitable opportunity to get into medical school."

Memorial University's regional campus at UPEI will have 20 seats available for Prince Edward Island residents wishing to pursue a Doctor of Medicine degree. Island students who are interested in applying to the PEI regional campus for the fall of 2025 are advised to visit the Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine admissions website. The application period is now open and runs until Wednesday, August 28, 2024.

The UPEI Faculty of Medicine unit recently launched its fund- and friend-raising campaign. With generous gifts from many donors already in, a total of $1 million has been raised so far during the $10-million campaign, which will support the University's contribution to the ongoing construction of the $91-million state-of-the-art building on the UPEI campus.

With the completion of the building scheduled for spring/summer 2025, just in time for the first cohort of students in August, there is still an opportunity for friends and future patients to get involved. We invite you to consider donating to the campaign fund. For more information and to discuss donation options, please contact Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, executive director of the UPEI Department of Development and Alumni Engagement, at 902-626-8551 or mjenkinssmith@upei.ca. Your support can make a significant difference in the future of health care in our community.

About the UPEI medical school

UPEI has a unique opportunity and duty as the provincial university to be part of the long-term solution to improve the current health-care system. Twenty undergraduate students from PEI will begin their studies at UPEI in August 2025 as part of a regional campus of Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine. The timeline for this initiative mirrors that of other regional campuses being developed across the country. Concurrently, UPEI and Memorial are seeking accreditation for a joint doctor of medicine degree, the first of its kind in Canada.