Sanford Health donates funds for nursing scholarships

Northwestern College has received a $5,000 donation from Sanford Health for nursing scholarships. The gift will enable Northwestern to offer $1,000 Sanford Nursing Scholarships to five students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program for the spring 2011 semester.

“We are grateful to Sanford Health for their investment in our nursing program,” says Northwestern’s president, Greg Christy. “This scholarship support will help educate nursing students who are prepared to leave Northwestern committed to Jesus’ healing ministry as they promote, restore and maintain the holistic health of children and adults in a variety of settings.”

Sanford Health, based in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Fargo, N.D., is the largest rural not-for-profit healthcare system in the U.S. It includes 111 clinics, 30 hospitals and 12 nursing homes. Orange City Area Health System is affiliated with Sanford Health.

“Sanford cares deeply about our communities, and we are honored to give back. Giving back has always been a part of who we are,” says Mike Daly, director of public affairs for the Sioux Falls region of Sanford Health. “We’ve been impressed with Northwestern College’s B.S.N. program and the success of their graduates, and we want to make sure the program continues to be successful. We plan to make a long-term commitment to the success of the nursing program.”

Northwestern’s B.S.N. program was established in 2005 under the leadership of Dr. Ruth Daumer. In 2009 the program was accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and graduated its first class of nurses, all of whom passed their nursing board exams and are members of healthcare teams in hospitals across the United States. The program received full approval from the Iowa Board of Nursing earlier this year.