University of New England

Last winter we announced a $1 million challenge from UNE trustee and faculty member Owen Pickus, D.O., and his wife, Geraldine Ollila-Pickus '88, D.O. '93 to the UNECOM community in support of the new biomedical research facility. This is the largest gift to the University ever made by a UNE trustee, as well as by a UNE graduate. The Pickus Challenge has resonated deeply with many. Through the generosity of the Pickuses and the financial support of UNECOM alumni, faculty, staff, friends and the regional osteopathic community, more than $2 million has been raised toward this important new facility. This is in addition to State of Maine funds in excess of $1.1 million.

Dr. Pickus and Dr. Ollila-Pickus, in conjunction with The Robert Wallace Trust, made such a large commitment to the new facility for many reasons, personal and professional. That the challenge was met rather quickly demonstrated strong support from many. We asked the Pickuses how that made them feel.

"I am not surprised," noted Dr. Owen Pickus. "I think the osteopathic community is very supportive of the school and is looking for a venue to show their support. Most of us want the school to be a 21st century school. A biomedical research center is something our physicians and the UNE community think is important. They embrace the idea."

Dr. Gerry Ollila-Pickus agreed. She said, "I was thrilled to see that other osteopaths were willing to stand up and say that the school is important and osteopathic medicine is important. As the campaign was going on, we heard from many different people, saying that they will pledge what they can and that they are happy and proud to take part in this effort."

Part of the Pickuses' gift will come from the Robert Wallace Trust. The Trust was established by Robert Wallace and his wife, Dorothy, in 1991 in recognition of, and appreciation for, the osteopathic profession and, in particular, the care they received as cancer patients of Dr. Owen Pickus.

UNE's medical school has benefited from previous generous donations from the trust, including gifts to help build the Harold Alfond Center for Health Sciences and to fund scholarships for deserving medical students. Dr. Pickus is the sole trustee of the trust.

Both Pickuses have long associations with the University of New England and its medical school. Dr. Pickus came to Maine as a physician because of the University's medical school. He has taught there as a clinical faculty member for 25 years, since the school's inception in 1978. He has been an active member of UNE's board of trustees for 14 years.

Dr. Ollila-Pickus first earned an undergraduate degree in physical therapy at UNE, then continued on to graduate from UNE's College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1993.

The Pickuses met when Owen taught in one of her physical therapy courses. Later, as a UNE medical student, Gerry did a research project with her teacher. They presented the findings of that research - the use of Interleukin with AIDS patients - together in Vancouver, Canada at an AIDs conference.

Dr. Owen Pickus has done other clinical research, primarily with studies of patients with compromised immune systems. He was one of the first physicians in the country to test Interferon and Interleukin in HIV patients. He has published the results of those studies in medical journals, such as Blood. The Pickuses live in Fortunes Rock, Biddeford. Dr. Owen Pickus is an oncologist with a successful practice based in Westbrook (Maine Centers for Health Care) where Dr. Ollila-Pickus also practices.