Western University of Health Sciences celebrated a unique, memorable “A Tribute to Caring” gala Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021.

The 40^th annual A Tribute to Caring celebration became a virtual, online event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The video featured several WesternU students who have donated their time, skills and knowledge to help others during the pandemic.

“Tonight, we are telling the stories of WesternU students who have stepped up as heroes to assist in one of the greatest health care challenges of our time – the struggle against COVID-19,” said WesternU Senior Vice President for University Advancement Diane M. Abraham, PhD, MBA, CFRE, who served as the program host. “During the pandemic, these frontline heroes have offered knowledge and skills, caring and compassion. It’s all part of WesternU’s commitment to humanism, a cornerstone of our University’s mission to prepare health care professionals in a humanistic tradition. We are grateful for our frontliners’ efforts, but also for the crucial support of donors like you who contribute each year so the WesternU mission continues.”

WesternU President Daniel R. Wilson, MD, PhD, announced the newly-created WesternU Board of Trustees Scholarship.

“Each year, Western University of Health Sciences prepares over 1,000 well-trained, caring and compassionate health care professionals,” Wilson said. “To support tomorrow’s graduates who will be providing the world’s future frontline health care needs, the WesternU Board of Trustees has established a $6 million endowment, which is set to grow, but already awards $300,000 per year in scholarships to students. This generous scholarship fund is a clear confirmation of how student support is a primary focus at WesternU.”

“Tonight, you have heard some incredible stories. You have met remarkable people committed not only to assisting on the frontlines of a pandemic but pursuing a lifetime of service, “Abraham said. “These are the men and women who one day will support us in our health care needs. These are the heroes. But, we can all play a part on this, the night of our 40^th scholarship gala, we ask you to support those who will support you. In this way, you too can be a hero.”

A Tribute to Caring raised $100,000 this year, with donations continuing to come in. ATC proceeds are divided among each of WesternU’s nine colleges to award as Academic Excellence Scholarships, and a portion is added to an endowment to fund future scholarships. The endowment’s value is nearly $1.5 million, Abraham said.

Visit the A Tribute to Caring website for more information on donating to student scholarships, and to watch the ATC video: https://joinus.westernu.edu/tribute/