AAMD Education and Research Foundation FAQs
Why was the Foundation formed?
The Gunilla Bentel Scholarship Fund was established in 2000 by Sandi Huston and Helen Stoddard. They had a dream that one day this scholarship would have funds available to provide financial support to medical dosimetry students. This scholarship is a fitting tribute to Gunilla, who constantly strove to provide educational experiences that were practical in application, yet always looking for improvement and innovation.
The Board of Directors of the AAMD, recognizing the need for an educational fundraising entity for prospective Dosimetrists as well as for the establishment and maintenance of Dosimetry training programs, proposed to its membership the creation of the Foundation. The membership of AAMD unanimously approved the necessary funds to establish such an entity at its Annual Membership Meeting on June 20, 2007.
On March 11, 2009 the IRS awarded the AAMD Education and Research Foundation the tax status of 501(c)(3) with the further classification of being a public charity. The Foundation became a new entity under the umbrella of the AAMD and is incorporated in Washington, DC.
Why should I donate?
The AAMD Education and Research Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization set up to advance the medical dosimetry profession. The AMD Education and Research Foundation will provide scholarships to medical dosimetry students, support formal medical dosimetry education programs and fund medical dosimetry research programs.
What are donations used for?
Mission
The AAMD Education and Research Foundation will enhance cancer care and quality of life for patients receiving radiation therapy by promoting the critical role of the medical dosimetrist in the cancer community through support and advancement of education and independent research for medical dosimetrists.
Education
The Foundation will contribute to funding educational initiatives in medical dosimetry according to the Foundation’s principles, with the goal of increasing formal medical dosimetry graduates by 75% over the next 3 years.
Specifically, the Foundation will:
- Support 3 individuals seeking higher education/advanced degrees to develop educators in the field of medical dosimetry;
- Provide scholarships to 10 individuals seeking medical dosimetry education from an accredited medical dosimetry program;
- Support development of 1 domestic medical dosimetry educational program; and
- Support further development of 6 current accredited educational programs, or support education-related accreditation costs for those educational programs seeking accreditation.
Research
The Foundation will contribute funding to research in medical dosimetry by clinical medical dosimetrists, with the goal of maintaining an annual rate of increase of 10% in the amount of published material, educational tools, treatment devices, or presentations, over the next 3 years.
Specifically, the Foundation will:
- Define baseline statistics and develop a database of such materials, tools, treatment devices, etc.; and
- Support initiatives that teach research methodologies.
Are donations tax deductible?
With the tax status of a 501(c)(3), donations made to the Foundation are deductible to the fullest extent of the law. 100% of the donation is deductible by the donor if no goods or services have been received for the donation made. A tax letter will be sent from the Foundation to the donor.
How do I make a donation?
Currently there are four avenues to donations:
- Check payable to:
AAMD Education and Research Foundation
c/o Treasurer, Mark Russell
PO Box 6707
Seffner, FL 33583 - Online: http://www.medicaldosimetry.org/aamderf/donation.cfm
- Pledged over time: To make a pledge over time, please contact the Foundation Treasurer.
- Given during the AAMD annual membership enrollment period.
Donations can be:
- Made in honor or in memory of someone.
- Not restricted.
- Restricted to:
- Gunilla Bentel Scholarship Fund
- Education Fund
- Professional Development Fund
(All donations include at 5% administrative fee)
When are scholarships awarded?
The Foundation awarded it’s first round of scholarships in the Spring of 2010. These consisted of merit scholarships honoring the memory of Gunilla Bentel, honoring the founders of the AAMD and a special recognition award.
The Foundation Board of Trustees plans to continue the awarding of scholarships annually in the Spring.
How are Trustees appointed to the Board of the Foundation?
The AAMD Board of Directors owns the process of interviewing and appointing individuals to the Foundation Board. The Foundation offers input for specific needs.
Who can become a Trustee on the Foundation Board of Directors?
Anyone interested in promoting the mission of the Foundation can become a Trustee. The Foundation bylaws currently restrict the number of Trustees to twelve and a majority of these individuals must be certified by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board.
How are Officers of the Foundation determined?
The Foundation Board of Trustees owns the process of appointing Officers for the Board. Officers are appointed from the current Board of Trustees and term limits are outlined in the Foundation bylaws.
Will the Foundation grow beyond the awarding of scholarships?
On October 21-22, 2006 the AAMD met with Steve Worth from Plexus Consulting Group to conduct a Foundation strategic planning event in Washington, DC. Attendees were: Paula Berner, Rudi J. Bertrand, Melanie Dempsey, Robin Famiglietti, Mary Hare, Sandi Huston, Theresa Kwiatkowski, Nishele Lenards, Randy Merril, Anjenette Milligan, Mark Reid, Mark Russell, Dr. Larry Sweeney and Brenda Wray.
During that process, several items of importance were identified. The Foundation started with scholarships to students in accredited programs who will become practicing Medical Dosimetrists. The Board of Trustees has plans to complete the other items identified from the original strategic planning process.
In 2011, we will be awarding a grant to assist an unaccredited dosimetry program in its process to become accredited. This grant has been made possible by a generous donation from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.
The Foundation also plans to support professional development of current career professionals. We believe this award process should be ready in late 2012.
