Rick Thain, Pharm.D., served for two years as chairman of the College of Pharmacy Alumni Association Board of Directors at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center. He plans to continue giving back to his alma mater by making a donation during his fourth annual UT Health Science Center Giving Day on Tuesday, April 23.
The 24-hour campaign raises funds to support the university and its mission to create a healthier Tennessee. This year's campaign goal is to raise money from 1,000 donors. Dr. Sain, who graduated from the College of Pharmacy in 1989 and is an accomplished pharmacist in Murfreesboro, Tenn., said he is proud to support his alma mater and help achieve its fundraising goals.
“Pharmacy school has given me so much and shaped my life in so many ways,” he said. “As alumni, we have a unique opportunity to pay it forward by supporting the UT Health Science Center. Our contributions not only honor the tradition of our alma mater, but also help future generations. It also ensures that healthcare professionals have the tools and resources they need to succeed in an evolving healthcare environment.”
You can donate to support the initiatives and programs of a specific university (School of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy) or the UT Health Sciences Center. Some donations may be matched to double their impact. This year, he will be provided with more than $400,000 in matching grants and challenges that will be unlocked by meeting certain goals.
Thanks to the generosity of UT Health Science Center alumni, faculty, staff, students, and community members, Giving Day has exceeded participation goals each time it has been held. Last year, the campaign raised more than $635,000 in donations.
“Supporting others is an incredible feeling, and at the UT Health Sciences Center, this feeling is amplified by investing in people who dedicate their lives to helping others,” said Adv. Vice-Chancellor Bridget Grant said. “I am proud that we foster a culture of philanthropy across campus and in communities across Tennessee. Giving Day is a day to celebrate the impact we have on the health of our families and neighbors when we come together. . Every donation counts, no matter the size.”
This is the first Giving Day since the UT Health Science Center began implementing the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, which serves as the university's five-year roadmap. The plan outlines the university's new mission, values and vision: “The Health of Tennesseans.” A thriving community. Giving Day is an opportunity to directly support the university's efforts to improve healthcare and the health of people across the state.
This year, Giving Day coincides with Student Appreciation Day. The Office of Advancement team will be in the Student Alumni Center on the Memphis campus to interact with students from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will include food, games and giveaways. Student events are also held in Chattanooga, Knoxville and Nashville.
To show its appreciation for its donors, the UT Health Sciences Center will hold its first Appreciation Day on Wednesday, May 1st. Students, faculty and staff are invited to visit the Madison Plaza lobby or general education building from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Spend the afternoon recording video messages and writing personal notes to donors thanking them for their support. This event aims to promote a culture of philanthropy, highlight the power of gratitude, and demonstrate how each gift makes a difference beyond the university.
“We encourage alumni to donate because our contributions have a tangible impact on the future of our great profession,” Dr. Sain said. “Together, we can foster innovation, expand access to medicines, and empower pharmacists to be leaders in patient care.”
To participate in UT Health Science Center Giving Day or for more information, visit givingday.uthsc.edu.
