Local philanthropists establish fund to address nursing shortage while keeping talent in the community
网曝吃瓜 (KSU) has received a transformative $400,000 donation from Richard and Anna Marie Rosen to establish the Richard and Anna Marie Rosen Nursing Scholarship Fund, which will be used to directly target the healthcare shortage in Franklin County.
The fund will provide five, renewable, merit-based scholarships annually to nursing students who commit to working at Frankfort Regional Medical Center (FRMC) or other qualified medical facilities in Franklin County after graduation, creating a direct pipeline from the classroom to community care.
鈥淲e are deeply grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Rosen for their visionary investment in our nursing students and our community鈥檚 health,鈥� said KSU President Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo. 鈥淭his initiative addresses two critical needs: helping students achieve their educational dreams while ensuring our local healthcare system has skilled healthcare professionals for years to come.鈥�
Addressing Community Needs
The scholarship fund comes at a crucial time when nursing shortages have reached critical levels nationwide. KSU鈥檚 nursing program 鈥� the University鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing academic program 鈥� is well-positioned to help solve this challenge.
Students pursuing either a two-year Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS) degree or a four- year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree will be eligible for the merit-based awards.
鈥淭he pandemic opened our eyes to how critically important nurses are to our community鈥檚 wellbeing,鈥� said donor Richard Rosen. 鈥淭hese scholarships aren鈥檛 just financial aid 鈥� they鈥檙e an investment in Franklin County鈥檚 future. I trust KSU to select the best and brightest candidates who will use their knowledge and skills to help create a healthier Franklin County.鈥�
Dr. John Ballard, CEO for FRMC, commended the Rosens for their vision. 鈥淚 look forward to working with KSU and having its students complete their clinical rotations here at FRMC.鈥�
Creating Tomorrow鈥檚 Healthcare Leaders Today
President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, Dr. Aaron Thompson, expressed his excitement for this initiative. 鈥淚 am delighted to see higher education, healthcare officials, and community leaders coming together to create a workforce development pipeline for Kentucky nurses. This partnership will help to promote a healthier future for the Commonwealth.鈥�
Dr. Mary Ellen Broaddus, Administrator of KSU鈥檚 Nursing Program, emphasized the fund鈥檚 dual impact: 鈥淢r. and Mrs. Rosen鈥檚 generous gift will enable the School of Nursing to provide additional students the opportunity to realize their dream of becoming a nurse, while simultaneously enhancing the quality of care provided in our local community. It鈥檚 a win-win that will benefit Franklin County for generations to come.鈥�
For more information about KSU鈥檚 School of Nursing and Health Sciences visit the webpage, email nursing@kysu.edu, or call (502) 597-5957.