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By: Stacey Walters | November 15, 2024
The University of Pikeville’s Elliott School of Nursing (ESON), in collaboration with Pikeville Medical Center, is pleased to announce it has been awarded nearly $100,000 from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund (HWIF). The grant, awarded during CPE’s Healthcare Workforce Collaboratory event in Lexington on October 30, will fully fund two years of tuition for two ESON nursing students, empowering them to pursue their education while supporting the development of future healthcare professionals.
This grant is part of a statewide initiative supported by the Kentucky General Assembly’s 2023 appropriation to the HWIF. The majority of HWIF funds provide scholarships to students enrolled in programs that address critical workforce needs in healthcare, with additional funds designated to recognize innovation in healthcare education.
To qualify for the HWIF, educational programs must collaborate with healthcare employers, who contribute funds matched by HWIF. As a condition of receiving the scholarship, students commit to practicing their specialty within Kentucky for each year of financial support, up to a maximum of two years. This will allow two students to get a quality nursing education at ESON at no cost and start their nursing career at Pikeville Medical Center upon graduation and obtaining their nursing license.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education for this generous support, which will reduce financial barriers, allowing more individuals to pursue a career in nursing. This support helps build a strong, local healthcare workforce, essential for addressing critical healthcare shortages,” said Dean of the College of Nursing and Human Services at UPIKE Karen Damron, Ph.D., RN. “This partnership with Pikeville Medical Center reflects our mutual commitment to preparing compassionate, skilled nurses who will serve our communities with excellence.”
ESON is dedicated to preparing its graduates with the expertise, empathy and knowledge necessary to provide exceptional patient care. This grant represents a milestone in ESON’s mission to support the health and wellness of communities throughout Kentucky.
Chairman, President and CEO of Pikeville Medical Center, Donovan Blackburn added, “We are honored to support the Elliott School of Nursing and proudly offer our facilities as a learning environment for the next generation of nurses. This collaborative effort with UPIKE underscores our shared commitment to better educate and strengthen the healthcare workforce in our region, not just now but for many years to come.”
For additional information on ESON and its scholarship opportunities, please visit upike.edu.