Published on May 21, 2010

Washington Adventist Hospital and Adventist HealthCare Contribute $1.5 M to Grant Fund to Train Nurses, Address Nursing Shortage

Washington Adventist University Receives Funds, Doubles Enrollment

Takoma Park, Md. - Washington Adventist Hospital and Adventist HealthCare have contributed $1 million to support the expansion of Washington Adventist University’s nursing program as part of this month’s state-wide Who Will Care initiative sponsored by the Maryland Hospital Association (MHA). Adventist HealthCare’s total contribution to MHA’s fund totals $1.5 M. The grant program seeks to address Maryland’s nursing shortage by equipping nursing schools to increase enrollment and graduation rates.

"As a health-care provider, it is vitally important for our organization to continue to help cultivate future nurses and other allied health-care professionals to ensure our communities have continued access to health care," said William "Bill" G. Robertson, President and CEO of Adventist HealthCare. Adventist HealthCare provides more clinical rotations for student nurses in college and university programs than any other county health provider.

With one year of funds dispersed, Washington Adventist University has doubled its nursing class from 50 to 100 students and, for the first time, offered both Fall and Spring enrollment in the 2009/2010 school year. Additionally, the grant has allowed the University to hire additional faculty and purchase the latest patient-simulation technology and computer software.

"The use of this technology better prepares students for hospital training programs and eventually the workforce by allowing more practice of their skills," said Renee Winkfield, RN, PHD, and Chair of the Edith T. James Department of Nursing at the University. Dr. Winkfield expects the grant will increase the University's nursing graduates within a couple years.

"We are pleased to help our longstanding partner, Washington Adventist University, expand its nursing program with this grant," said Jere Stocks, President of Washington Adventist Hospital. "We look forward to continue offering more training opportunities to nursing students at Washington Adventist Hospital now and as part of the future Village of Health and Well-being."

The Village of Health and Well-being will focus on providing health-care services, including primary care and urgent care, to the communities the hospital serves as well as offer expanded educational opportunities for future nurses and other allied health-care professionals. The Village will be located on the current hospital campus once the hospital relocates to White Oak.

The total grant award of $1.3 million to Washington Adventist University was supplemented by private donors to the Who Will Care fund. For more information about how to contribute to the Who Will Care campaign, go to www.whowillcare.org or text "Nurse" to 20222. The campaign aims to raise $60 million from public and private sources to graduate an additional 1,500 registered nurses each year. Twenty-three nursing schools throughout Maryland are recipients of grants to date.

Washington Adventist Hospital is a 288-bed acute-care facility located in Takoma Park, Maryland. Washington Adventist Hospital is Montgomery County's first cardiac center, performing more than 500 open-heart surgeries and more than 6,000 heart catheterizations each year. The Hospital is the first accredited Cycle III Chest Pain Center in the DC Metro Area. Washington Adventist Hospital is part of Adventist HealthCare, an integrated health-care delivery system based in Rockville, Maryland, that is one of the largest employers in the state of Maryland.