The Ellison Foundation recently gave $30,000 to help purchase new equipment needed for PNWU’s School of Physical Therapy (SOPT). Based in Bellevue, WA, The Ellison Foundation invests in highly effective regional nonprofit organizations and institutions involved in medicine, education, and human services. PNWU joins the Foundation’s growing list of partners, which includes Seattle Children’s Hospital, Food Lifeline, La Casa Hogar, Mary’s Place, Overlake Medical Center Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association, and many others.
Bob Hurlbut, the Foundation’s Director, said that the Foundation’s mission is to support nonprofit organizations who create sustainable benefits for the people they serve.
“The new physical therapy school at PNWU definitely fits within our giving strategy,” Hurlbut explained. “It trains and empowers individuals who will have a dramatic impact on the communities they serve in the future”.
Tom and Sue Ellison established the Foundation in 2003 to actively support nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and individuals dedicated to empowering the lives of others.
“The Ellison Foundation focuses on addressing the needs of the vulnerable and traditionally underserved populations, and PNWU focuses on rural, medically underserved communities,” explained Dr. Peggy Trueblood, program director of PNWU’s School of Physical Therapy (SOPT). “It seems like a natural fit.”
With their support, the Ellison’s join other funders in support of PNWU’s newest health sciences program. Bob and Charlotte Haney and their family launched PNWU’s progress to develop a new SOPT with the capital necessary to equip the program with essential teaching and research equipment. Other SOPT donors include the Martin family, Hyatt family, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, the Paul Lauzier Charitable Trust (also a new funder), and others.
“Our SOPT is student-focused, patient-centered, dynamic, and has a collaborative learning environment that centers around PNWU’s already established culture of interprofessional education, compassion, innovation, and social responsibility,” Dr. Trueblood added. “We advocate for access to physical therapy in rural and underserved communities for health and longevity and to reduce health disparities with a focus on rural community service.”
The Ellison’s gift brings the total raised to launch the new SOPT to over $1.1 million.
“The foundation is happy to join so many others in the support of this new endeavor at PNWU,” said Hurlbut.