Our vision is for Oregon to be the best state to live, work, play and practice medicine.
Mission: To secure a stronger and healthier future for Oregon with additional wrap-around supports for DO, MD, and PA students during their medical education. We strive to be good partners to prospective students facing barriers to entering the medical profession, and to the wider community through support of public health and wellness education partnerships.
We are facing a severe physician and physician associate shortage. Every one of us will feel its impact, but it is especially urgent for the thousands of Oregonians living in rural and underserved communities who already struggle with healthcare access. While advances in telemedicine and physician networks are helpful, demand will only increase as our population ages. We need more doctors and PAs.
The Oregon Medical Education Foundation (OMEF) Scholarship Funds help these students see a path to affordability and provides a network of support at every step.
OMEF exists to support students and help them do their best. Oregon’s DO, MD, and PA students are among our most precious resources, and we believe that there is no better investment than in them, the future of medicine.
OMEF is the only organization focused solely on supporting the next generation of healthcare providers and leaders, and we can't do it alone. Help us build a bright future of medicine by including us in your estate planning. Access a wealth of planned giving information at www.theomefgiving.org.
40% of students pursuing a medical education are food-insecure. They are struggling to afford enough healthy food, which makes everything feel harder.
2/3 of students never find a mentor. In Oregon, that's roughly 1,000 students who are missing out. Unsurprisingly the rates are higher among female and BIPOC students.
The cost of a medical education has outpaced inflation, doubling every nine years. Presently the average medical school debt is $300k. To combat systemic inequities, initiatives aimed at increasing diversity and improving cultural competency within the profession must be a priority.
This level of debt not only causes tremendous stress, it influences which area of medicine they decide to practice. More and more, students are making career choices based on finances, not where the greatest need is. Creative solutions - and different incentives - are needed.
Since 2012, OMEF has awarded more than $650,000 to 400+ students.
Our prestigious Leadership Scholarship recognizes the contributions top students are already making to medicine.
Recipients are awarded up to $10,000 plus provided with additional support by prominent healthcare leaders.
We also help students afford extras like presenting their research. Read more.
Mentorship can have a profoundly positive effect on those pursuing a medical education.
And yet, despite the critical support that mentors provide, almost 2/3 of DO, MD, and PA students never find one.
OMEF believes that we can play a role in helping students access the transformative power of a mentor.
Read more about our latest project.
We are facing a severe provider shortage, and about 50% of students will graduate already feeling burned out.
Our Student Wellness Retreat fostered connections across and between DO, MD, and PA students statewide, provided access to mentorship, and a full weekend of sessions to help with all aspects of their medical education.
Thank you for taking time to learn about the difference OMEF is making in healthcare!
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