The Association of Faculty and Friends (AFF) of the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey (MS) Medical Center and Penn State Health College of Medicine has announced its grant application period is currently open. Current employees and students may apply for funding for programs that directly support MS Hershey Medical Center and the College of Medicine. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 31.

According to chapter president Vera Kolstrom, the grant program is reflective of AFF's mission to support medical education, research, clinical care and scholarship. The grant monies are raised through donations and events such as the Peace Tree Program and, most recently, a wine tasting event held at the Hershey Country Club. 

In 2023, grants were provided to programs and projects in line with the mission, including food as medicine, caring for patients with sensory considerations, improving outcomes for heart failure patients and supplying cataract equipment for Penn State's medical students' mission work in Ghana. Ian Hidinger, a medical student from the Class of 2025 who is part of the Ghana initiative, was a grant recipient last year.

The AFF chapter of Friends of Penn State Health and Penn State Health College of Medicine is a nonprofit organization that provides a community of friendship to its members through committees and interest groups. The group's motto is "Friendship and Philanthropy."

Grant applications are available at http://www.pennstatehersheyaff.org/grant-application. For more information on AFF events and to join the group, visit http://www.pennstatehersheyaff.org. Prospective members may also email vkolstrom@gmail.com.