The University of the West Indies Medical Alumni Association (UWIMAA) announced in January 2024 that it successfully raised $1.5 million for scholarships and bursaries, allowing the establishment of an endowment. This achievement was made possible through a combination of cash donations and firm pledges.

After partnering with the University’s Institutional Advancement Division in September 2021, the newly formed executive team of UWIMAA aimed to create an endowment. One month later, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with the University, which set the initiative in motion, bolstered by significant donations from generous alumni like Dr. Farley Gleghorn (Class of 1983) and Dr. Doyle Slifer (Class of 1968). In total, there have been 179 donations, with all but three coming from alumni and one contribution from a corporate entity.

The interest generated from the UWIMAA Endowment will primarily be used to provide scholarships and bursaries to medical students and to support The UWI Faculties of Medical Sciences.

“We are delighted to have met our goal and look forward to pursuing new objectives. We are confident that this endowment, invested through The UWI Regional Endowment Fund, will continue to support students in need and advance the UWIMAA’s other important goals,” said Sir George Alleyne, Chair of the UWIMAA Endowment Committee and Chancellor Emeritus of The UWI.

“The UWIMAA is grateful for the support we have received from alumni thus far and looks forward to engaging an even larger segment of our alumni community,” stated Dr. Wong, President of the UWIMAA.