Haury Trust Donates $165,000 to Benefit College’s Programs

The Agnese Nelms Haury Charitable Trust has donated $165,000 toward two University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix’s programs.

The gift will provide $55,000 to the Global Health Program and Certificate of Distinction in Global Health. The Community Health Initiative – Phoenix and Certificate of Distinction in Service and Community Health will receive $110,000.

David Beyda, MD, chair and professor for the college’s Department of Bioethics and Medical Humanism and director of the Global Health Program, discussed the importance of receiving this donation from the Haury Trust.

“These monies play a significant role in alleviating the financial burden on the students and allow us to expose our students to significant global health issues,” Dr. Beyda said.

The namesake of the Trust, Agnese Nelms Haury, supported a range of causes that included social and environmental justice.

During her life, Mrs. Haury was passionate about investing in innovative scholarships. Earlier this year, the Haury Trust made a $100,000 donation to a Pathway Scholars student at the college.

The gift will provide international medical trips for medical students to serve vulnerable populations as well as needed medical equipment. The Department of Bioethics and Medical Humanism will organize a Global Health seminar to address key issues.

“It validates what we’ve been saying all along,” Dr. Beyda said. “If we really are genuine and authentic in our moral views of being there for the underserved, regardless of where they’re at, then I’m glad that we have made some impact.”

Sharry Veres, MD, MHSM, is the department chair for the Department of Family, Community and Preventive Medicine. She said that the money going toward the department will provide funding for some of their key initiatives.

“We have a goal of doing more research and promoting a better understanding of health equity,” Dr. Veres said. “With this funding, we will be able to host some speakers, a conference and conduct research focused on targeted issues.”

Family, Community and Preventive medicine has an emphasis on health equity. Dr. Veres hopes this grant will help the department better understand and eliminate health disparities.

“My hope is that we could better cultivate community partnerships around addressing health equity and health disparities,” Dr. Veres said. “With the development of a Community Health Advisory Council, we are inviting key members of our community to the table to work on these issues with us.”