Our mission - celebrating 60 years of service to the community 

The Oregon Medical Education Foundation's mission is to do our part for a stronger and healthier Oregon by supporting and encouraging MD, DO and PA students along their personal continuums of medical education. We also 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.

OMEF Goals 
The goals and objectives of OMEF are to serve as the fiscal intermediary for worthy medical and health-related programs; to stimulate and assist new and current medical education programs, including programs which would permit an exchange of information among medical disciplines; to meet unmet needs in postgraduate education programs; to correct deficiencies in medical practice found to exist through peer review; and to stimulate development of health education programs for the public.

The Oregon Medical Education Foundation (OMEF) is a registered 501c3 charitable organization created by the OMA in 1961. 

Donate to the OMEF

Thanks to the generosity of physicians, physician assistants, and medical practitioners across the state, OMEF has been able to fund critical programs that improve both the practice of medicine in Oregon and the health of Oregonians. Donating to OMEF strengthens Oregon’s medical community and demonstrates a commitment to the health of our state. 

OMEF receives donations from numerous sources, including from OMA members as part of the annual dues payment process. Please give generously today!

 

OMEF Programs

  • Investing in our future healthcare leaders through the Future of Medicine Scholarships: The cost of a medical education has more than tripled since 1978, after adjusting for inflation and today’s medical and PA students graduate with an astounding level of debt.  Too often, debt becomes the deciding factor in selecting a medical specialty and the location where these new professionals will practice. To assist with this burden, the OMEF has distributed over $450,000 in scholarship awards to 200+ local students since 2012. This financial assistance makes a measurable difference in the lives of Oregon’s next generation of healthcare providers. Investing in our state’s exceptional medical students ensures a bright future for Oregon’s medical practitioners and our communities.
  • Partnering for healthier communities through our Community Grant Program: The OMEF Board of Directors, a dedicated group of physicians, physician assistants, and medical community members, distributes thousands of dollars in grant funding each year to worthy medical and health-related programs. Past grants have been used to support community health fairs for under-served Oregonians, statewide workforce research projects, and domestic violence awareness campaigns. 

To make a tax-deductible contribution to the Oregon Medical Education Foundation, please contact Julie Davidson, Executive Director by email or at 503-619-8129.

OMEF Board of Directors

OMEF is governed by a Board of Directors who serve three-year terms starting October 1. For information on the nominations process and other leadership opportunities, please contact Julie Davidson, Executive Director by email or at 503-619-8129.

OMEF Community Grant Program

The OMEF Board of Directors meets twice a year to review grant requests. Please submit proposals by email. 

Grant requests should include the following:

  1. Cover letter outlining the project
  2. Supporting documents:
    • Amount requested from OMEF
    • Total project amount (include other sources of funding)
    • An explanation of the project and how it relates to 'medical education'
    • Proposed budget for the project

OMEF Grant Oversight Policy

Recent OMEF Grant Awards

  • $70,000 over multiple years to Area Health Education Center of Southwest Oregon in Roseburg, to establish and grow the ReConnect Gap-Year Fellowship
  • $12,000 to OHSU's Nourish program, supporting 2nd year medical students with tutoring, mentorship and wellness in preparation for their Step 1 exams
  • $12,000 to OHSU's Confidential Advocacy Program (CAP) for a webinar series focusing on culturally-competent and trauma-informed healthcare and support for survivors of sexual & relationship violence
  • $ 5,000 to COMP NW in support of an emergency medicine track of an inter-state conference
  • $ 3,600 to the American Medical Women's Association (OHSU branch) for a "Strength Through Stories" virtual conference for women physicians
  • $ 2,000 to Southwestern Oregon Medical Society in support of a new public health education event in Coos Bay
  • $10,000 to the Lane County Medical Society Foundation in support of a Physician Wellness Program
  • $ 1,000 to the OMA Alliance towards the first Western States Coalition Medical Alliance Meeting in San Diego
  • $ 4,000 to Salem Hospital for two community domestic violence conferences
  • $11,400 to OMA and OMAA to underwrite production of localized resource cards for physicians and patients and other domestic violence awareness efforts