UAMS Northwest Vice Chancellor Pledges $250,000

Peter O. Kohler, M.D., vice chancellor for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Northwest, recently pledged a deferred gift of $250,000 to support the new physical therapy program based at the regional campus in Fayetteville.

The gift will be used for continued development of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, which expects to enroll its first 24 students in 2015. This program, a part of the UAMS College of Health Professions, is the first UAMS academic program to be housed solely on its Fayetteville campus.

"UAMS Northwest is an important part of our mission to lead health care improvement and education in Arkansas and Dr. Kohler's leadership in getting the regional campus started was crucial to its success," said UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D. "For him to make this major personal pledge gives a clear indication of his commitment to the campus, to UAMS and to the people of Arkansas."

Opened in 2009, UAMS Northwest enrollment now totals 190 students and resident physicians across multiple programs in medicine, pharmacy, nursing and the allied health professions.

"UAMS Northwest has received tremendous philanthropic support from the region, totaling more than $9 million in gifts and commitments from individuals, foundations and corporations," Kohler said. "My wife and I are happy to join these generous partners in supporting the campus in launching this new academic program." Kohler was appointed vice chancellor for UAMS Northwest in 2007 after retiring as president of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland in 2006. He is president emeritus at OHSU after leading that institution for 18 years. Earlier in his academic medical career, Kohler served nine years as chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine in the UAMS College of Medicine on the institution's main campus in Little Rock. He also served as interim dean for the college in 1985-1986.

"It is notable when our staff members choose to make their own personal financial contributions to the institution," said Lance Burchett, UAMS vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement. "We are grateful for Dr. Kohler's significant gift, which has already motivated others to do likewise."

The physical therapy program is in the start-up phase, with construction on classroom and research space, administrative offices and four teaching labs to begin later this year. Faculty therapists and physical therapy students will gain clinical experience in a physical therapy clinic slated to open on campus by the end of 2014.

"We feel good that we are creating the kind of quality program that will produce top-notch practitioners who will help patients in Arkansas for many years to come," Kohler said.

If you would like to learn more about leaving a legacy through a deferred gift, please let us know. You can use our interactive Gift Planning tool, or contact Tim Dockery, Director of Planned Giving at UAMS.