WKU Receives Gift For Healthcare
Scholarships From Norton Healthcare
September 05, 2003
Bowling Green, Ky. - Norton Healthcare of Louisville has made an innovative gift to Western Kentucky University that will help alleviate the shortage of healthcare workers in the state.
According to Tom Hiles, WKU's vice president for Institutional Advancement, this gift of $240,000 will create the Norton Healthcare Scholars Program, a scholarship fund for students enrolled in medical technology, healthcare information systems, respiratory care, pre-pharmacy, and both the associate's and bachelor's degree nursing programs.
"The students awarded these scholarships must agree to return to Norton Healthcare to work for the number of years they receive the scholarship after they receive their degrees," Hiles said. "Scholarships will be renewable based on satisfactory progress toward a degree and a minimum grade-point average. Students who receive the scholarships will be guaranteed jobs with Norton Healthcare when they complete their degree programs and meet all state and system requirements for their field."
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports there will be a deficit of more than 1 million nurses nationally by the year 2010 due to an aging population and technological advances. This new scholarship program was created to specifically address this challenging need.
Dr. John Bonaguro, dean of WKU's College of Health and Human Services, agrees.
"The partnership with Norton Healthcare is an excellent example of how healthcare providers and universities can work together to achieve the same goal: increase the number of healthcare professionals in our community," he said.
"Norton Healthcare has a long-standing interest in working to provide educational opportunities for students who want to enter the health care field," said Stephen A. Williams, president and chief executive officer of Norton Healthcare. "Western Kentucky University is an exceptional school, and Norton Healthcare is pleased to enter into this new partnership." Williams added that he looks forward to a long and rewarding relationship with WKU.
"These scholarships help students by enabling deserving men and women to pursue careers in nursing," said WKU President Gary Ransdell. "They also assist the community by helping fill a void in the marketplace and keeping our graduates employed in Kentucky. We are grateful for Norton Healthcare's support."
For more information, contact Tom Hiles, (270) 745-6208. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
