Thank you for your support in 2023.
Reflect on the highlights from the past year.
HEALTH CARE STUDENTS
The Research Foundation supported the education of 48 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students by awarding $258,865 to students enrolled at Avila University, Research College of Nursing, and William Jewell College during the 2023-2024 academic year. The Research Foundation also provided 35 nursing students emergency financial assistance and sponsored white coats and commitment coats.
The Research Foundation also gave $27,000 in scholarships to physical therapy students as well as $21,650 to students pursuing careers in radiation therapy, radiologic technology, and nuclear medicine technology.
HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
The Research Foundation partnered with the Ed Bixby Institute for Postgraduate Medical Education and Kansas City Southwest Clinical Society and to host the Infectious Disease Symposium and Hoeper Primary Care Symposium in 2023. Funding for symposiums is provided by the J.B. Reynolds Foundation, the Research Medical Center Medical Staff, and the Dr. Sam Hoeper Sr. Fund.
The Research Foundation also recognized oustanding nursing faculty for teaching excellence, community services, scholarly achievement, and leadership at Avila University, Research College of Nursing, and William Jewell. Additional support was given to faculty members at the three nursing programs for doctoral degrees, faculty scholarship grants, and continuing education..
PATIENTS
The Research Foundation collaborates with Bra Couture KC to make Verda’s Place available to uninsured and underinsured cancer patients. Located in the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center at Research Medical Center, Verda’s Place supports lymphedema services, prosthetics, assistance with utilities, food cards, medications, nutritional supplements, and comfort items. In 2023, 74 cancer patients received assistance through Verda’s Place.
The Research Foundation also supported 27 cancer patients through Dr. Kelley Young Memorial Fund, established by family and friends of oncologist the Dr. Kelley Young. The fund further expands support for cancer patients in need.
The Research Foundation continued its partnership with Happy Bottoms to address diaper needs among low-income mothers and babies at Research Medical Center.
KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY
The Research Foundation’s Young Traffic Offenders Program educated 797 young drivers in 2023. The program strives to change driving habits of young people by presenting the consequences of careless driving.
The Research Foundation also provided ThinkFirst injury prevention programs to nearly 19,000 Kansas City area students in the 2022-2023 academic year. ThinkFirst educates youth about preventing traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries by discussing safe driving, seat belt usage, sports and recreation safety, helmet usage, water safety, and avoiding violence.
The Research Foundation launched a brand new community grants iniative in 2023. To maximize impact, the board of directors determined additional foundation funds could be used to support community health partnerships. The Research Foundation focused its first-year grants on organizations with health-centered missions that primarily serve residents in Jackson County, Missouri, prioritizing urban Kansas City.
