Building Bridges with Indigenous Communities: Stamets Gift Funds New Scholarship for Fellowship in Integrative Medicine
Paul Stamets and Andrew Weil, MD
TUCSON, Ariz. — The University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine (AWCIM) has established a new scholarship funded by a generous gift from Paul Stamets, D.Sc. (Honoris Causa), an internationally known mycologist and advocate of the medical benefits of mushrooms.
The Paul Stamets Scholarship will advance integrative medicine by encouraging ties between those with experience in modern biomedicine and local and indigenous communities. It is open to physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and others accepted to the AWCIM Fellowship in Integrative Medicine who demonstrate interest in serving indigenous and underserved communities.
"It is my great honor to donate $50,000 to the University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine," Stamets said. "These funds will help train more physicians in integrative medicine – the way of the future that will improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs. I look forward to continuing to support this important program and seeing it flourish."
The Fellowship in Integrative Medicine is a 1,000-hour, two-year distance learning program. In addition to online training, fellows participate in three week-long, hands-on training sessions in Tucson, Arizona.
"Integrative medicine has long recognized the value of traditional methods of healing. I'm thrilled to have this generous donation from my long-time friend and colleague Paul Stamets, a leader in the field of mycology and foremost researcher of medicinal properties of mushrooms," said Andrew Weil, MD, AWCIM founder and director.
Dr. Weil created the Fellowship in 2000. Since then, more than 1,800 health care professionals from around the world have been trained through the program.
"We recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our community of healers in Arizona and beyond," said AWCIM Executive Director Victoria Maizes, MD. "The Center is delighted that this gift from Paul Stamets will increase our ability to train diverse health professionals who are passionate about integrative health and medicine."
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NOTE: Photos available upon request.
About the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine
The Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine (AWCIM) at the University of Arizona is leading the transformation of health care by creating, educating and actively supporting a community that embodies the philosophy and practice of healing-oriented medicine. The AWCIM is internationally recognized for its evidence-based clinical practice, innovative educational programs and research that substantiates the field of integrative medicine and influences public policy. Since its creation in 1994, the AWCIM's vision of making integrative care available to all is being realized worldwide: AWCIM graduates are now guiding more than 10 million patients to take a greater role in their health and healing. For more information: awcim.arizona.edu (Follow us: Facebook | Twitter).
About the University of Arizona Foundation
Now in its 63rd year, the University of Arizona Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the University of Arizona through philanthropy. Since its inception, the foundation has helped generate more than $3 billion in private funding to support and elevate the university's global leadership position in experiential and interdisciplinary education, research and entrepreneurial partnerships. The University of Arizona is ranked No. 92 on The Chronicle of Philanthropy's list of America's Favorite Charities, the 100 American organizations that raise the most money annually. For more information: uafoundation.org.
About the University of Arizona Health Sciences
The University of Arizona Health Sciences is the statewide leader in biomedical research and health professions training. UArizona Health Sciences includes the Colleges of Medicine (Tucson and Phoenix), Nursing, Pharmacy, and the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, with main campus locations in Tucson and the Phoenix Biomedical Campus in downtown Phoenix. From these vantage points, Health Sciences reaches across the state of Arizona, the greater Southwest and around the world to provide next-generation education, research and outreach. A major economic engine, Health Sciences employs nearly 5,000 people, has approximately 4,000 students and 900 faculty members, and garners $200 million in research grants and contracts annually. For more information: uahs.arizona.edu (Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram).