Our program asks former residents to donate for those items. But only small amounts, nothing as huge as a multi-headed scope. Also one of our attendings made a large gift to our program. I know there are education grants that I have heard of that will cover huge expenses like Aperio scanscopes (used, but still expensive) but this was in other places, not where I am. I am not sure if maybe the medical school gave the grant or where the grant came from, but I think it was from the instutition somewhere, and I think it was "education" not residency funded. If anyone in the department has a clinical residual fund, they could be approached for a large item that would somehow benefit them or their trainees/fellows/chemistry fellows, etc. I think the coming changes in healthcare mean that these pots of money will dry up or be taken away by hospital or university admin, so if something is not used, it will be gone in an instant. Better to spend whatever pots of money are sitting around now, because it will all be seized soon. So maybe people will be more willing to part with theis funds if you could make the case that your institution is cutting back on extras, and they could lose the fund if they don't spend it.
If you have leftover GME money from your GME allowance, it could go towards part of this, but would not cover the scope, maybe the big screen or something.
If any medical students rotate with you, maybe the medical school can pitch in? Or the derm department? Anyone whose people benefit from rotating in path might pitch in something....
You could also see if the book fund can be used for items like ipads; they are definitely educational with the apps for IHC, Hopkins pancreas apps, etc.
