April 21, 2011
#11-39

Taking steps to provide easier access to higher education for area residents, Jefferson Health System (Jefferson Regional Medical Center) has partnered with Jefferson College to establish a minority nursing scholarship for those who are interested in training to become a registered nurse (RN).

The scholarship is made possible by Jefferson Regional Medical Center’s five-year $50,000 donation to the Jefferson College Foundation.

As a regional healthcare leader and supporter of numerous community betterment initiatives, the scholarship by Jefferson Regional will improve educational opportunities for area residents while strengthening diversity at Jefferson College.

“Jefferson Regional is committed to providing the best possible healthcare in our community and one way we are able to achieve that is to hire and retain highly qualified providers,” said Beverly Johnson, R.N., Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. “We hope that this scholarship will encourage and inspire the young men and women of our community to utilize their knowledge and skills to provide care for their neighbors and friends now and into the future.”

With the continued shortage of skilled healthcare workers, both locally and nationally, the minority scholarship will help fill the need for nurses in our community, while creating jobs and spurring local economic development.

“We’re extremely pleased to partner with Jefferson Health System to expand educational opportunities for Jefferson County residents,” said Jefferson College President Dr. Raymond Cummiskey. “Because the hospital and the college are two of the largest and most visible entities in our community, it’s only natural that we should work together to improve the well-being of our citizens. The Jefferson Health System Minority Nursing Scholarship will help deserving students achieve a quality education and, in-turn, benefit our entire community with skilled, caring healthcare professionals.”

The scholarship will be restricted to minority applicants who are Jefferson County high school graduates and attend Jefferson College full-time. Each scholarship will be funded for $2,500 per applicant per year.

Two scholarships will be awarded in the first year, four scholarships in year two, three and four, and two scholarships in year five. Jefferson College will identify applicants for the scholarship and representatives from Jefferson Health System will select the recipients.

For more information about the Jefferson Health System Minority Nursing Scholarship, contact the Jefferson College Foundation at (636) 481-3105 (TDD 789-5772).

The new Jefferson Regional Health System Minority Scholarship will improve educational opportunities for area residents, while strengthening diversity at Jefferson College. Pictured during the signing of the scholarship covenant is, from left, (seated) Jefferson Health System Executive Vice President Blake Temple, Jefferson Health System Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer Beverly Johnson, Jefferson College President Dr. Raymond Cummiskey, Jefferson College Nursing Program Interim Director Tuni Miller (standing) Jefferson College Board of Trustees Member John Winkelman, Jefferson College Foundation Consultant Tom Burke, Jefferson College Foundation Board President Dennis Kehm, Jefferson College Dean of Career and Technical Education Elizabeth Check, Jefferson Health System Board Member Timothy Patterson, Jefferson Health System Board President Elect Tonda Breeze, and Jefferson Regional Health System Board Treasurer Ron Ravenscraft.