At Wake Forest University School of Medicine, we have much to be proud of as we build on our long-standing excellence in Winston-Salem and in Charlotte, where our second campus is under construction. As we expand, we are one school with two campuses, one mission, one united alumni body and a growing global impact.
As we seek to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing — for all — we will extend our growing reach to support communities, both regionally and nationally, and expand our global impact through unparalleled education, discovery and innovation.
Over the past year, we have experienced unprecedented growth in our scientific programs. In 2023, we recruited nearly 30 researchers under our Research Plan for Excellence. These researchers are joining us in Winston-Salem and in Charlotte, advancing medical science in key areas that address our nation’s most pressing health needs.
We also broke school records in attaining over $390 million in extramural funding, representing an increase of more than 20% in grant funding since 2020. Still, we have far more to accomplish and have launched our ENVISION Campaign, a $100 million fundraising effort to transform health care for patients, communities and the next generation of health care leaders.
As the largest campaign in the school’s history, ENVISION will integrate research with clinical care and speed up the process of moving new ideas from research labs to patients’ bedsides and beyond. Our campaign will support research throughout an individual’s lifespan with key focus areas in health equity; Alzheimer’s disease; cancer; cardiovascular disease; diabetes, obesity and metabolism; healthy aging and mobility; neurosciences; and regenerative medicine.
As Anthony Atala, MD, FACS, director of our distinguished Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, said at the campaign kickoff, “Without research, there is no medicine.” And without philanthropic support, many research advancements will remain unattainable.
Our campaign offers a range of opportunities in which to invest — research space, endowed faculty positions, faculty recruitment and retention and startup costs for critical research, to name a few. With your gift to this campaign, together we will ENVISION the transformative future of Wake Forest University School of Medicine.