”It’s possible to live in North Dakota and not be familiar with the School of Medicine and Health Sciences – it’s just not possible to live in North Dakota and not be positively affected by the school in some way!”

It’s a statement I use from time to time, and its truth becomes more apparent as the years go by… 

This past December was another example of the impact the medical school can have on benefiting this rural state. Eva Gilbertson, M.D., (B.S. Med. ’39), a radiologist in Seattle, WA, (originally from Maddock, ND) established the Eva L. Gilbertson, M.D. Distinguished Chair in Geriatrics with her gift and pledge in excess of $5.2 million.

Dr. Gilbertson knew what many know – that the aging population in our society is growing at an alarming rate and this special segment of our population requires specialized care. The nation is not training enough geriatric specialists to prepare for the pace the population is aging. This is a national concern, but Dr. Gilbertson decided to do something about it!

Dr. Gilbertson’s gift will spin-off $350,000 next year and in the years to come to support a faculty chair’s position, providing the resources for the school to hire a nationally recognized geriatric specialist who will teach our students and residents, conduct research and serve as an area clinician. Dr. Gilbertson passed away only weeks before her generous gift was announced, but how fortunate we were to have known such a forward thinking physician who cared so much for her alma mater and for her home state.

We’re excited to share a story with our readers that hit the heart of our mission of service at the school. The medical school is proud to be an economic driver in the state – in fact, we’re one of the leading economic engines. In this edition we will tell you about an exciting medical project where we share a partnership with the Schools of Engineering at both UND and NDSU as well as with private industry in Minnesota and the economic development corporation in Minot, ND, (see page 8).

Investing in YOUR medical school!

When I addressed the Legislature last year I told them a return on the investment to the medical school could be found in every community in North Dakota. We do more than just prepare excellent physicians! Some noteworthy projects are:

• School children working with the CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Children’s Health) project which educates youth about obesity and making healthy diet and exercise choices;
• Allied health professionals prominent in every hospital and nursing home across the state;
• UND medical students leading the Tar Wars project to discourage smoking in elementary school children, and most significantly,
• 1,200+ physicians across the state who work diligently with UND medical students to assure they become caring and competent physicians.

The UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences belongs to North Dakota and is proud to serve the citizens of the state! Thank you.

H. David Wilson, M.D. Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean