Indiana University of Pennsylvania has received a half-million-dollar gift from alumni David and Becky Walzak to support the university’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine.
The Walzaks, originally from western Pennsylvania and now living in Florida, say IUP is “the place it all started” for them. They met on campus in 1968, graduated in the early ’70s, and went on to successful careers in education and consulting before retiring.
IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll called the donation “an incredibly generous gift” that will make a lasting impact on the future of rural healthcare in Pennsylvania.
The Walzaks say they were inspired by the vision of a medical school that will train doctors to serve small communities, where access to care is often limited. Their contribution brings total funding for the initiative to more than 34 million dollars.
The proposed college of osteopathic medicine recently earned “candidate status” in the accreditation process, and would become the only public medical school of its kind in Pennsylvania.
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