LECOM Secures $1 Million Scholarship Investment

Rich Jureller, VP of Community Relations/ President of Sabres Foundation presented a check for $1,000,000.00 to Silvia M. Ferretti, DO, LECOM Provost, Senior Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs on November 9, 2019.

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) Student Scholarship Fund has received significant investment support as a result of a new partnership between LECOM and Pegula Sport and Entertainment (PSE).

Through this initiative, PSE has committed $1 million disbursed into the LECOM Student Scholarship Fund over the next 10 years. Each year, 10 LECOM medical, pharmacy, and dental students across a 22-county region in Western New York will receive a $10,000 scholarship. By expanding the accessibility of medical education to the aspiring students throughout the region, PSE hopes that this program will encourage more healthcare professionals to serve Western New York and the Southern Tier.

LECOM boasts the lowest tuition among private medical schools in the United States. From its very inception, LECOM has held fast to the mission of assisting its medical students in offsetting the cost of their medical education. Since 1994, LECOM has distributed more than $37 million in scholarships to deserving students, including $20 million over the last five years alone.

PSE President and CEO, Kim Pegula, and LECOM Provost, Senior Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs, Silvia Ferretti, DO, announced the scholarship initiative in Buffalo, New York. Both leaders agreed that the PSE-LECOM relationship is a facile and comfortable alliance, acknowledging the level of commitment that those in the athletic and healthcare fields dedicate to their respective professions.

“With this partnership, we will be able to highlight the full spectrum of health and wellness through the sporting events that are a mainstay of this region,” explained Dr. Ferretti. “We are delighted to partner with Pegula Sport and Entertainment to advance and encourage health and wellness. There is no better example to highlight wellness than with young athletes who, like our LECOM students, commit themselves to an extraordinary amount of work to achieve their career goals,” the LECOM Provost affirmed.

As part of the multi-year Sabres agreement, LECOM also becomes an official Gold Ring Partner of the Buffalo Sabres. LECOM originally partnered with the One Buffalo organization as an Official Education Partner of the Buffalo Sabres during the 2017-2018 Season. In the new season, the Sabres will continue to present the LECOM Student All-Stars Program, the LECOM Student Value Ticket, and the LECOM T-Shirt Toss. The Student All-Stars Program, once again, will recognize outstanding students during Sabres home games. Members of the public are invited to nominate students from schools across the region for the highly-regarded tribute. The LECOM Student Value Ticket allows students to enjoy Sabres home games at a reduced price.

The LECOM Harborcenter is a 750,000 square-foot venue that is comprised of two NHL-sized hockey rinks, a 205-room full-service Marriott hotel, the Academy of Hockey, various training facilities, four restaurants, and ample parking.

As the official practice facility of the Buffalo Sabres, the LECOM Harborcenter also houses the NHL Scouting Combine, the Academy of Hockey, the Buffalo Jr. Sabres Youth Hockey Organization, Canisius College Men’s Hockey and a host of events and competitions held throughout the year. The downtown Buffalo venue welcomes approximately 500,000 visitors per year.

LECOM is confident that the newly-named LECOM Harborcenter will help to shape the lives of young people from all walks of life by reinforcing values of integrity, respect, and perseverance through sporting competitions and athletic accomplishments as it holds high the standard of excellence for which the name LECOM is synonymous.