School of Nursing - Development Opportunities

Annual Giving

Once a year we will call to ask you to contribute to the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing Annual Fund Drive. We sincerely hope that you will support the school in this effort.

If you prefer to make your contribution now, please use the annual giving form provided and return it to the Development Office. Your contributions fund the Emergency Loan fund, alumni scholarships, tutorial services, recruitment efforts, and some of the Alumni Association activities and programs each year. The following categories of giving, reflective of the proud history of the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing, are listed to guide you in your consideration of a donation.

If you have any questions, or wish to discuss setting up a permanent endowment, scholarship, or another type of gift to the school, please contact Rachel Curtis, Director of Alumni Affairs and Special Events, at (409) 772-8307.

Rebecca Sealy Society ($5,000+)
Rebecca Davis Sealy, widow of prominent Galveston businessman John Sealy, was directly involved in determining the use of the $50,000 bequest to the city by her husband in 1884. Because of the Sealys’ concern for the public’s health care needs, the money was donated to the city for construction of a new hospital in 1890. The efforts of Rebecca Sealy resulted in the establishment of a school for nurses at the John Sealy Hospital in 1890. Members of the Rebecca Sealy Society will be specially recognized at various School of Nursing and UTMB functions throughout the year. Gifts to the Rebecca Sealy Society will have a lasting impact on nursing students of today. Their names will be placed on a plaque to be prominently displayed in the lobby of the school, and they will receive a recognition piece from the School of Nursing.

Board of Managers ($1,000-$4,999)
A group of prominent Galvestonians, including Mrs. John Sealy, Mrs. George Sealy, Mrs. J. G. Goldthwaite, Mrs. Aaron Blum and others, formed a Board of Lady Managers, which assumed the responsibility for raising the needed funds to establish and support the John Sealy Training School for Nurses. Most schools of nursing of this period were created with the support of such women’s groups, and the profession owes a great deal to their efforts. The names of the contributors in this category will be recorded on a plaque to be prominently displayed at the School of Nursing. These supporters will be invited to School of Nursing and UTMB events and will receive a recognition piece of appreciation.

Dorothea Fick Society ($500-$999)
Following a serious injury to her hip in a fall, Miss Ella Goldthwaite required extended skilled nursing care. Her parents, however, were forced to travel to New York to obtain the services of Miss Dorothea Fick. Miss Fick, a graduate of the Mt. Sinai Hospital Training School for Nurses in New York, came to Galveston as Ella’s personal nurse. Because of the difficulties obtaining skilled nursing care and the growing interest in a school for nurses in Texas, Miss Fick was employed to direct the first school for nurses in Texas using the Nightingale model. Gifts to the Dorothea Fick Society will have a lasting impact on nursing students of today. All donors will be thanked with a recognition piece and will be formally recognized on a plaque at the School of Nursing.

Second Century Society ($250-$499)
As the UTMB School of Nursing entered its second century, many new challenges and opportunities faced our students and faculty. The continued tradition of excellence is facilitated by gifts to the Annual Fund in this category. All donors will be thanked and will be formally recognized on a plaque at the School of Nursing.

Friends of Nursing
Century Club ($100-$249)
A Friend (Gifts to $99)
All contributions to the UTMB School of Nursing Annual Fund Drive support student services, scholarships, and emergency loans. Because of your financial support, you have demonstrated your interest and dedication to the nursing profession. You are truly one of the "Friends of Nursing."

In addition, all Sealy Society members who give $1,000 or more each year, will be honored each year at a special University recognition weekend.