The Regina Charitable Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation recently presented a $300,000 gift for scholarships for nursing students at Montgomery County Community College. The scholarships will help nursing students complete their degrees, enabling them to work on the front lines and care for the elderly, two areas where there is a great need for well-trained nurses. Photo by Matthew Wright
The Regina Charitable Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation recently presented a $300,000 scholarship gift to the Montgomery County Community College Foundation to assist MCCC students who are pursuing their nursing degrees. The gift was made from the Regina Charitable Fund, following a recommendation by The Regina Fund.
“We greatly appreciate this generous gift from the Regina Charitable Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation in support of MCCC’s mission,” said Jay Browning, CFRE, Executive Director of MCCC’s Foundation. “This gift will enable thirteen students to have a fully-funded Nursing degree without financial burden and will allow them to serve on the front lines in healthcare and care for elderly in Montgomery County and the region.”
The pandemic has shined a spotlight on the importance of health professionals and the growing shortage of nurses. As Pennsylvania’s aging population continues to increase, the need for nurses who care for the elderly will be in great demand in the upcoming decades.
“This impactful gift will minimize the financial strain for students, enabling them to dedicate and focus their efforts on their studies and caring for people,” said Cheryl DiLanzo, MCCC Dean of Health Sciences. “The healthcare system is experiencing a dire need for well-trained nurses, and our graduates will help to fill that void.”
MCCC’s associate degree Nursing Program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible for licensure by completing the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses. MCCC’s nursing graduates have a first-time pass rate of 95.58% (the national mean is 86.57%).
“This impactful gift will minimize the financial strain for students, enabling them to dedicate and focus their efforts on their studies and caring for people,” said Cheryl DiLanzo, MCCC Dean of Health Sciences. “The healthcare system is experiencing a dire need for well-trained nurses, and our graduates will help to fill that void.”
The Nursing Program prepares students to be caring health professionals who demonstrate critical thinking and the ability to care for patients in a wide variety of health settings. Classes are held in the state-of-the-art Health Sciences Center at the Blue Bell Campus. Students learn and gain experience in the classroom, through simulation practice and in clinical environments.
MCCC nursing graduates are employed in an array of health settings throughout Montgomery County and beyond, including hospitals, mental health facilities, rehabilitation centers and nursing care facilities, among others. Graduates also have the option to continue their education with MCCC’s many transfer partners.