Dow Corning Foundation Supports Local Universities’ Health Initiatives

The Dow Corning Foundation has committed $450,000 to two important health care projects in the Great Lakes Bay Region. The grants are being awarded to Central Michigan University (CMU) for construction of a medical school in Saginaw, and to Delta College for renovation of its Health Sciences Building.

“Both of these projects are critical, not only in helping to provide quality health care in Michigan, but as economic drivers for our region,” states Kathryn Curtiss Spence, Director of the Dow Corning Foundation.

Construction of the CMU Medical School is expected to be completed in 2014.

The Foundation’s investment in the CMU College of Medicine is part of a $25 million capital campaign to address the shortage of primary care physicians in central and northern Michigan, and the Upper Peninsula. Medical students beginning the program in 2013 will start their studies at the Mount Pleasant campus and transition during their last two years to the Saginaw campus. The students will be paired with physicians from Covenant HealthCare and St. Mary’s of Michigan-Saginaw.

Delta College is also the recipient of funds designated for improvements to its Health Professions Building. Originally constructed in 1978, the building houses some of Delta College’s fastest growing programs including the nursing program, dental program, physical therapy assistant, medical office professional, emergency medical technician, radiography, respiratory care, surgical technologist, sonography, pharmacy technician and health information technology. Improvements will include a critical care simulation area, multi-disciplinary laboratories and an upgraded dental clinic.

“I am grateful that, with Dow Corning’s financial support, Delta College will be able to renovate its Health Professions Building, to better educate students in the Great Lakes Bay Region,” said Delta College President, Dr. Jean Goodnow. “Due to strong employment and job growth, more than 28 percent of Delta’s students are enrolled in health-related fields. This gift will impact nearly every aspect of healthcare in our region – from dental offices to nursing homes, and from physical therapy offices to radiography labs. Thousands of students and residents in general, will be touched by this overall project, as Delta graduates are hired by an excellent healthcare system which impacts our community’s quality of life.”

Local contributions to Delta College’s Innovation: Excellence In Health Education Campaign assists the college in qualifying for additional funding from the State of Michigan.

The new Health Sciences building will be completed by fall of 2013.

About the Dow Corning Foundation:

Established in 1981, the Dow Corning Foundation is an endowed fund supported by contributions from Dow Corning Corporationand Hemlock Semiconductor Group.

The Foundation’s mission is to improve scientific literacy by increasing access to math, science and technology education at the pre-university level, improve vitality and quality of life in communities where Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor employees work and reside, and to improve awareness and increased utilization of sustainable, innovative technologies to benefit society.