The Everest Foundation

The Everest Foundation is a global non-profit organisation based in Los Angeles, California, dedicated to advancing medical education and research. Founded in memory of Dr. Edwin A.D. Everest by his son, Dr. Michael Everest, the Foundation focuses on funding and supporting graduate medical education (GME), medical research, and community initiatives. Its mission is to be "Part of the Cure" by addressing the unique needs of communities, medical programs, trainees, physicians, and scientists worldwide.

The Foundation is known for its Everest Foundation Scholars Program, which connects medical students and graduates with top medical schools and teaching hospitals in the United States. This programme provides opportunities for rotations, research, medical residencies, and fellowships, bridging the gap between education and clinical practice.

The Foundation also supports various Schools of Medicine by partnering with them to expand residency positions, fellowships, and community-based initiatives. They focus on optimising residency and fellowship programmes and providing funding for institution-wide and programme-specific initiatives.

Research funding is a key focus of The Everest Foundation, supporting a wide range of medical specialities such as cardiology, oncology, and psychiatry, as well as cutting-edge fields like artificial pancreatic transplant research and spinal cord injury research. This funding enables medical journal submissions and advances medical innovation.

The Foundation is also engaged in Venture Philanthropy, addressing the healthcare needs of vulnerable populations from the US to Africa, and supporting research in areas such as organ transplant and veteran healthcare. They collaborate with local partners to drive positive changes and support academic hospitals and local charity initiatives.

The Everest Foundation work to improve healthcare access in poverty-stricken areas, offering research and health support through various global initiatives, and addressing healthcare disparities by funding residency training opportunities for underserved communities.

The Everest Foundation’s impact extends to addressing the "Residency Bottleneck" and physician shortages by creating more training positions and research opportunities. Their wellness initiatives for medical residents tackle issues such as burnout, addiction, and mental health challenges.

Recent initiatives include funding research on aortic dissection prevention and treatment in people with Marfan syndrome, launching grant programs to support local climbing projects in Nepal, and participating in community activities such as food drives and support for homeless shelters. The Everest Foundation is committed to improving healthcare access, advancing medical research, and supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals through its innovative programmes.

The Everest Foundation was established in 2008 in Los Angeles, California, by Dr. Michael Everest in memory of his father, Dr. Edwin A.D. Everest. Dr. Edwin was a dedicated physician and educator, committed to innovation and forward-thinking in the medical field. After his passing in 2008, his son formalised his father's vision and dedication to supporting medical education, research, and community service by founding The Everest Foundation. The organisation was created to address critical issues in the medical community, including the shortage of residency positions, known as the “Residency Bottleneck,” and to improve access to healthcare for underserved populations.

The Foundation initially focused on supporting graduate medical education (GME) and medical research, providing funding to teaching hospitals and medical schools across the United States. The Everest Foundation has grown to support a range of initiatives aimed at improving healthcare outcomes and advancing medical education. Its core mission is to be "Part of the Cure," providing opportunities and resources to address the unique needs of communities, medical programs, trainees, physicians, and scientists worldwide.

One of the Foundation's key initiatives is the Everest Foundation Scholars Program. This program connects medical students and graduates with top medical schools, teaching hospitals, and leaders in medicine in the United States. Scholars are selected through a careful process and given opportunities to participate in rotations, research, medical residencies, and fellowships. The program aims to bridge the gap between education and clinical practice, ensuring that medical graduates are well-prepared to serve in various medical fields.

The Foundation also actively supports Schools of Medicine by funding GME programs and other global initiatives. It collaborates with medical schools to expand residency positions, fellowships, and research opportunities, particularly in underserved areas. The Foundation’s support helps institutions improve their educational programs, optimise residency and fellowship training, and address the healthcare needs of their communities.

Research funding is a central aspect of the Foundation’s work. The Everest Foundation provides grants and financial support for a wide range of medical research projects, including internal medicine, cardiology, oncology, and psychiatry. This funding helps researchers publish their findings and advance medical knowledge. The Foundation has supported innovative research initiatives such as artificial pancreatic transplant research, transplant pathology, and spinal cord injury research, contributing to the development of new treatments and healthcare practices.

In addition to supporting medical education and research, The Everest Foundation engages in Venture Philanthropy. This approach focuses on addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, such as veterans, children, and communities with limited access to healthcare. The Foundation collaborates with local and international partners to drive positive changes in healthcare delivery and education, particularly in underserved areas. Their impact is felt in various countries where they support advanced research, local charity initiatives, and academic hospitals.

Creating Opportunities is another key focus of the Foundation. They work to attract top-notch talent to the medical field and improve health outcomes by providing opportunities for medical education and training. This includes supporting medical graduates in securing residency positions and providing funding for wellness initiatives to address burnout, addiction, and mental health challenges among medical residents.

The Foundation has a broad network of partners and recipients, including prestigious institutions like Harvard University, the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, and various teaching hospitals and medical schools across the United States. They also collaborate with local organisations such as Hope The Mission, Loving Hands Children’s Home, and the Spinal Cord Damage Research Center to support community-based health initiatives.

In 2024, The Everest Foundation launched several new initiatives to expand its impact. This includes funding research on aortic dissection prevention and treatment in people with Marfan syndrome, supporting local climbing projects in Nepal, and participating in community activities such as food drives and support for homeless shelters. The Foundation remains committed to its mission of being "Part of the Cure" by improving healthcare education, advancing medical research, and supporting underserved communities globally.

Today, The Everest Foundation continues to be led by the Everest Family, with Mrs. Agata Everest serving as Chairperson. The organisation is fully funded by the Everest Family and its sister organisation, Residents Medical, and does not engage in public fundraising. This allows the Foundation to focus entirely on its mission-driven activities, ensuring that all resources are directed towards improving healthcare education and outcomes. 

The Foundation’s main goal is to be "Part of the Cure" by addressing critical issues in healthcare, such as the shortage of residency positions and the need for better medical training and research opportunities.

The Foundation’s purpose is to create positive change in healthcare by providing support and resources to medical students, graduates, teaching hospitals, and vulnerable communities. It focuses on several key areas:

1. Graduate Medical Education (GME): The Foundation helps expand residency and fellowship programs in medical schools, addressing the “Residency Bottleneck” and ensuring that more medical graduates can complete their training and serve in healthcare.
2. Medical Research Funding: The Everest Foundation provides financial support for research in various medical fields, such as cardiology, oncology, and psychiatry. This funding helps researchers to conduct studies, publish their findings, and contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge.
3. Everest Foundation Scholars Program: This program connects medical students and graduates with top medical schools and hospitals in the United States. It provides opportunities for rotations, research, and residency training, helping to build the next generation of medical professionals.
4. Creating Opportunities: The Foundation supports the development of medical professionals by offering training and research opportunities. It also works to improve healthcare in underserved communities, providing clinical support and funding for local health initiatives.
5. Venture Philanthropy: The Foundation engages in projects that address the healthcare needs of vulnerable populations, both in the United States and around the world. This includes supporting medical education, healthcare access, and community health programs.
6. Schools of Medicine: The Foundation collaborates with medical schools to enhance their programs and address the specific needs of their communities. This support helps schools improve their educational offerings and better prepare their students for medical careers.

The Everest Foundation is the only non-profit organisation focused on Graduate Medical Education (GME) as its core mission. It provides funding for medical research and creates more residency training opportunities across the United States. Many medical school graduates face challenges due to the “Residency Bottleneck,” where there are not enough residency positions available. Only 29% of applicants have relevant research experience on their CV, limiting their chances of securing a residency. This lack of opportunity affects the growth of medical research and the development of new doctors.

The Foundation aims to change this by funding research and training at leading medical schools and teaching hospitals. It supports teaching hospitals in vulnerable, urban, and rural areas, helping address the healthcare needs of these communities. The Foundation also focuses on wellness initiatives for medical residents to tackle issues like burnout, addiction, and mental health challenges.

Through partnerships with local organisations and a shared value system, The Everest Foundation strives to improve medical education and healthcare outcomes. By providing these opportunities, the Foundation aims to be "Part of the Cure," ensuring that future doctors are well-prepared to serve their communities and advance medical research.