The evening’s entertainment featured sleight of hand in the Magic Kingdom, but the end result was no illusion. Western University of Health Sciences set new records in tickets sold and money raised at its annual gala, “A Tribute to Caring,” last Nov. 12 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, Calif.
The gala raised more than $ 170,000 for student scholarships and honored longtime College of Pharmacy supporter AmerisourceBergen Corporation with the 2011 A Tribute to Caring Corporate Humanitarian Award. Several magicians performed for the more than 600 guests as they mingled prior to the evening’s dinner and program. WesternU Founding President Philip Pumerantz, PhD, thanked donors for supporting the university’s mission. “When you study the science of healing, you must remember it has to intersect with compassion and caring.
You think about the patient,” he said. “Your presence here tonight will have a direct impact on our work and our mission of fostering caring and compassion in health care.”
“A Tribute to Caring is a special opportunity for WesternU to recognize enduring contributions to the education of tomorrow’s health professionals.” – Thomas G. Fox Western U Senior Vice President In presenting the award to AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation President David Neu, Dr. Pumerantz told him, “It is an honor to present this award to you. You are a company that has a conscience. You care for people, you make a lot of scholarships available, and the work you do uplifts the community.”
AmerisourceBergen sponsors the annual Good Neighbor Pharmacy/Institute for Community Pharmacy Scholarship Golf Classic, which has raised more than $ 1 million for student scholarships at WesternU and USC. The golf tournament will celebrate its 10th year in 2012. AmerisourceBergen is also establishing a $ 25,000 endowed scholarship at WesternU.
AmerisourceBergen provided funding for WesternU’s Patient Care Center Pharmacy, which is part of the Good Neighbor Pharmacy Network. Good Neighbor Pharmacy is a network of more than 3,700 independently owned and operated community pharmacies across the United States and Puerto Rico.
Good Neighbor Pharmacy is part of a program offered by AmerisourceBergen, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical services companies serving the United States, Canada and selected global markets. Mike Quick, National Vice President, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Development, has served on the WesternU Board of Trustees since 2004. When he first visited the campus, he saw how special the WesternU family was, Quick said.
“I’m honored not only to be on the Board of Trustees but to work with these special people in health care,” he said. “AmerisourceBergen has been a great partner.” – Daniel Robinson College of Pharmacy Dean
“We’re very grateful for the long-lasting relationship, and students have benefitted tremendously,” he said. “The scholarships that our students receive help those that want to focus on independent community pharmacy. AmerisourceBergen has been very focused on helping us achieve success for that group of pharmacists.”
