From the Dean: Thank you, Peltier family

As you might have noticed, we have new signage in our East Atrium, which will now be known as the Joe & Norma Peltier East Atrium.

We held a wonderful dedication ceremony earlier today for the Peltier family, who has given generously to our Department of Family & Community Medicine and its efforts to support rural North Dakota.

Although both Joe and Norma have passed, I had the opportunity to meet with several members of this amazing family, including an alum of ours – Dr. Suzette Peltier – who practices obstetrics and gynecology at Mayo Clinic in Eau Claire, Wis.

When I was meeting with the Peltier family this morning, I heard about Joe and Norma and their love for North Dakota. I imagine they might be a bit hesitant about the recognition they received today.

Why? Because they were a humble, hard-working, and giving couple who gave out of the generosity of their hearts and their commitment to people. That’s what makes this recognition so special – it is about people. It reflects the Peltier legacy to ensure countless students will walk through this atrium and into a health career caring for people.

This focus matters deeply for our School.

As you know, we are North Dakota’s only comprehensive school of medicine and health sciences. We are the people’s school, as codified by the North Dakota legislature, which is why we make it our mission to serve the people of North Dakota and improve the health and healthcare of everyone living here. Every day.

The Joe and Norma Peltier gift is dedicated to family and community medicine. Today, 79% of the family medicine doctors in North Dakota are UND SMHS alumni. I was excited to share with the family how we are exploring a three-year medical school tract in family medicine. The students who benefit from this gift will thus train in one of our five family medicine residency programs and will serve the people of North Dakota for five years.

If they were with us today, I believe Joe and Norma would be pleased to hear this. Thank you again, Peltier family, for your commitment to UND and North Dakota.

Your generosity has been astounding and please know that your gift helps advance – directly – the health and health education of people living in North Dakota every day.

Marjorie R. Jenkins, M.D., M.Ed.H.P., FACP
Vice President for Health Affairs, UND
Dean, School of Medicine & Health Sciences