MGH Institute of Health Professions uses scholarship and other student support funds to attract and retain talented students from all backgrounds because the school recognizes a strong connection between a culturally diverse health care workforce and the ability to provide quality, culturally competent patient care. While the Institute provides some financial assistance, our capacity does not meet the needs of our more than 1,600 students – many of whom already have significant debt from their undergraduate studies.

Donate to Funds Benefitting Our Clinical Centers at IMPACT

The Dr. Charles A. and Ann Sanders IMPACT Practice Center at MGH Institute of Health Professions brings together students from across the health professions to learn and practice in teams and to deliver essential free care to the community. The center builds upon and enhances community services currently provided by the Institute and houses these services in one integrated center.

painting of ruth - she wears a rose colored suit and has curly white hair

Ruth Sleeper was a remarkable woman: her visionary plan and determined advocacy for expanded academic preparation paved the way for the current nursing programs at MGH Institute of Health Professions.

Her devotion to students was evident in that she was equally focused on the professional development of the MGH School of Nursing students by teaching interactive classes to first and third year students. She helped lead the way in transforming nursing education by greatly expanding classroom instruction. Miss Sleeper was a national leader in nursing education who helped raise academic standards for the nursing profession.

The Ruth Sleeper Nursing Center for Clinical Education and Wellness at the MGH Institute serves as her living legacy; a place that aspires to train exceptional nursing and health care leaders to provide safe and quality care to patients and communities, to work effectively in cross-discipline, interprofessional teams, and to solve some of the more complex problems in health care today.

Give to the Center

photo taken at a party - marjorie smiles over a cake with lots of candles and wears a corsage of roses

The Ionta PT Center is one of several client-based educational facilities operated by the MGH Institute at the state-of-the-art Sanders IMPACT Practice Center. The Ionta PT Center provides free support services to individuals in Greater Boston and beyond who may not otherwise have access to physical therapy care or those whose insurance benefits have expired but still need continued therapy. These services include comprehensive assessment, therapy, and specialty services for both neurological and musculoskeletal issues.

It includes a state-of-the-art adult rehab gym and pediatric gym where students, under the supervision of licensed faculty, apply their classroom education in real-life scenarios. In many instances, physical therapy students collaborate with their peers in nursing, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, and speech-language pathology to provide the type of team-based interprofessional care that produces better patient outcomes – a hallmark of an MGH Institute education.

Marjorie Ionta served as Chief Physical Therapist in the Department of Physical Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital from 1958 to 1981. Her work as the director of physical therapy at MGH and as a national leader who helped create the modern version of the field continues to resonate to those who had the fortune of learning from and working with her.

Give to the Center

Kay Bander Matching Gift Scholarship Program

When long-time Massachusetts General Hospital employee and volunteer Kay Bander passed away in 2017, she generously left a portion of her estate to MGH Institute of Health Professions.  The Institute honors Kay’s legacy and investment in the school with the “Kay Bander Scholarship Campaign,” which matches gifts of at least $25,000 made to create, or add to an existing, endowed scholarship in 2018.

Donors may name the scholarship, which will be recognized as part of the Kay Bander Scholarship Program, in their own name, in honor of a beloved faculty member, or to pay tribute to a family member. Donors may also set the terms of the scholarship – directing support to a particular discipline, to first-generation students, under-represented students, students with financial need, or other priorities.

Scholarships can be funded by the donation of cash, securities, or appreciated assets, and payments can be spread over five years. Your endowed scholarship will provide much needed support to students in perpetuity.

msheffield [at] mghihp.edu (Giving Inquiry)

Kay Bander was a remarkable woman who claimed a front-row seat to an important and fascinating era in MGH history. Kay served as assistant to the general director of the MGH from 1969 through 1981, first working closely with John Knowles, MD, who led the hospital from 1961 to 1972, and then with Charles Sanders, MD, who was general director from 1972 to 1981. Both Dr. Knowles and Dr. Sanders were instrumental in the founding of MGH Institute of Health Professions.

As part of her role, Kay served as secretary of the General Executive Committee and was a member of or attended most of the hospital’s other major committees. Her involvement in so many decision-making centers helped her to understand the strategy, culture, personalities, and DNA of the MGH, and she quickly became a much-sought source of information and advice. When Dr. Sanders left the MGH to take on a leadership role at Squibb Pharmaceuticals in New Jersey, it was no wonder that he recruited Kay to go with him.

After Kay retired from the pharmaceutical industry in 1999, she began volunteering at the MGH, and became one of the most reliable and dedicated volunteers at the hospital. She logged more than 8,000 hours, with roles ranging from working in the Blum Patient and Family Learning Center, to serving on the Patient and Family Advisory Council, to interviewing patients about their hospital experience through the Continuous Care Initiative. Active in the Ladies Visiting Committee, she served as treasurer before becoming co-chair in 2014. In 2016 she received the Pat Rowell Extraordinary Volunteer Achievement Award for her dedication, perseverance, and longevity of service.

We are pleased to honor Kay through these scholarships that will forever be associated with her legacy.

black and white photo of Kay

Linda C. Andrist Scholarship Fund

Linda C. Andrist, PhD, RNC, WHNP-BC,  has been a steadfast champion of the Institute's faculty, students, and graduates. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Linda served for many years as the Coordinator of the Women’s Health and dual Adult-Women's Health NP specialty, and went on to become the Director of the Graduate Nursing program, during which she helped launch the Institute’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.   

The IHP established a scholarship to celebrate Linda and her many contributions to the IHP, the discipline of nursing, and the field of women’s health. Your support helps to continue and further Linda’s legacy. 

Give

photo of linda she has blonde hair and wears glasses

Bette Ann "BA" Harris Scholarship in Interprofessional Studies

The Bette Ann “BA” Harris Scholarship in Interprofessional Studies provides financial assistance for a minimum of one student annually who is pursuing a post-professional degree at the Institute with a demonstrated interest in interprofessional education. Selection preference will be given to highly qualified licensed health professionals enrolled in interprofessional degree programs, including but not limited to the PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences or the Master of Science in Health Professions Education, with a preference for qualified physical therapists.

Your support helps to continue and further BA's legacy. 

Give

BA Harris was the first graduate of the Institute, and has been a part of the growth and evolution of the graduate school from the very beginning. She became a faculty member in 1985 having served in clinical, research, and administrative positions at Massachusetts General Hospital Physical Therapy Services. She was Program Director of Graduate Programs in Physical Therapy (PT) from 1992 until 2002. During that time she oversaw the conversion of the Master of Science PT program to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.  From 2002-2007, she was the Special Assistant for New Initiatives, Office of the President, and was the Interim Associate Academic Dean for Academic Year 2007-2008. From 2008-2012 BA was the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. In 2011 BA became the Interim Director of the newly created Center for Interprofessional Studies and Innovation, now many of the programs fall within the School of Healthcare Leadership, but the interprofessional thread runs through all IHP programs.

photo of BA she wears a dark blue velvet jacket and has short grey hair

John Hilton Knowles Fellows Scholarship

The John Hilton Knowles Fellows Scholarship was established to promote the Institute’s goal of increasing the diversity of the student body in our clinical programs in order to better serve an increasingly multicultural, multilingual population. The Knowles Fellowship is a merit-based academic award that gives preference to students from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the health professions relative to their numbers in the general public.

Your support helps to continue and further Dr. Knowles' legacy. 

Give

Dr. John Hilton Knowles was President of Massachusetts General Hospital and one of the Institute’s founders. The Knowles family established the scholarships in his memory. Dr. Knowles and his family (pictured) recognize the important contribution that our students will make as future leaders of their various disciplines.

group of people stand together in formal attire

The Charles and Ann Sanders Interprofessional Scholarship

The Charles and Ann Sanders Interprofessional Scholarship provides partial tuition to two students annually. This fund promotes participation in regional, national, and international interprofessional learning experiences. Interprofessional education provides opportunities for students from different health disciplines to learn and practice together in health care teams.

Your support helps to continue and further Dr. Sanders' legacy. 

Give

In 1977, Dr. Charles Sanders used his influence and prestige as General Director of Massachusetts General Hospital to ensure the dream envisioned by him and Dr. John Hilton Knowles led to the successful creation of a health sciences graduate school that would be like no other – MGH Institute of Health Professions.

charles wears a grey suit and red tie, ann wears a black shirt with pearls

Christopher Norman Educational Fund

Founded in 2011, the Christopher Norman Educational Fund helps students in the Communication Science and Disorders program take full advantage of educational opportunities at the Institute and beyond. Since its inception, this fund has supported students from the CSD program in various educational activities such as help with attending conferences and thesis research support.

Your support helps to further Christopher's legacy and the education of our students. 

Give

When 2007 Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate Christopher Norman unexpectedly passed away in 2010, it spurred his former classmates, faculty, and his family to develop a way to honor him and his memory.

Since Chris was an avid runner, a perfect opportunity arrived when John Hancock Financial Services provided the Institute with two slots in the 2011 Boston Marathon.

Classmate Janis Greim CSD '07, CCC-SLP, volunteered to run the race to raise money to establish the Christopher Norman Educational Fund.

Between the support of classmates, other speech-language pathologist alumni, faculty, and a matching gift challenge offered by the Norman Family, more than $15,000 was raised to provide funding for student involvement in education endeavors with a preference for stuttering issues.

The Institute continues to be grateful for the sustaining support of the Christopher Norman Educational Fund, which helps students in the Communication Science and Disorders program take full advantage of educational opportunities at the Institute and beyond. 

headshot of Christopher, he wears a blue and white checked collared shirt

Gregory L. Lof Dissertation Support Fund

In honor of Gregg Lof¹s 20 years of service to the Communication Science Disorder program of the MGH Institute of Health Professions, the IHP established the Gregory L. Lof Dissertation Support Fund. The Fund advances research science while supporting the financial needs of graduate students.

The Fund will distribute one award of approximately $1,000 per year to support the research dissertation expenses not covered by other sources of funding of any PhD candidate at their dissertation stage. Students apply to the Executive Committee of the PhD Program who will make the award decision. All things being equal, a CSD student would receive preference but the award is available to students from all disciplines. 

Give

Greg sits in front of a bookcase and wears a grey suit with a maroon tie

Leslie Portney Fund for Interprofessional Leadership

To recognize and honor the profound accomplishments of Leslie Portney, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, the Institute established the Leslie Portney Fund for Interprofessional Leadership to support students and faculty as they pursue educational and research opportunities that foster interprofessional education and practice. 

Distributions will be made for:

  • Travel by students, faculty, or staff to domestic or international interprofessional meetings or conferences where participants will expand their understanding of interprofessional education and bring new ideas back to the IHP; and/or
  • To seed new interprofessional projects at the IHP; and/or
  • To support a faculty member or student to attend a course on interprofessional education.

Give

Leslie Portney, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA, retired following a distinguished career of 50 years in physical therapy, more than half spent as a member of the faculty at the MGH Institute of Health Professions.

Leslie’s impact on the Institute has been profound, having served as the Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and the Inaugural Dean of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS). In that capacity, she expanded SHRS to 600 students and more than 60 faculty, from just two programs, Physical Therapy and Communications and Disorders, to now six programs, including Physician Assistant Studies, Occupational Therapy, a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences, and Genetic Counseling.

One of her most substantial contributions was as a leader in interprofessional education, establishing a strong integrated approach across programs at the Institute, and academic-practice partnerships that have served as models both nationally and internationally.

Leslie has also been a remarkable leader in the American Physical Therapy Association, serving as the inaugural president of American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT), the chair of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), and being honored as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA. Her commitment, energy and steadfast vision have provided many opportunities for the physical therapy profession to grow, and for the educational community to move forward.

leslie smiles for the camera with her hand resting on her cheek