Mon Health Medical Center Foundation Provides $200,000 Investment in Nursing Education at Fairmont State

The Mon Health Medical Center Foundation is proud to present a two-year investment of $200,000 to expand Fairmont State University's capacity for nursing education. Through this investment, Fairmont State University will be able to hire additional faculty that in turn will allow more students to be trained in the field of nursing.

The United States, including West Virginia, is facing a nursing shortage due to an aging population, with estimates that 80 percent of patients over the age of 65 have multiple health conditions thus requiring more frequent visits to healthcare agencies; the aging RN nursing workforce; expanded healthcare coverage; and a limited capacity for nursing programs to expand.

"This generous gift from the Mon Health Medical Center Foundation will allow Fairmont State University to expand its nursing program's capacity," explained President Mirta M. Martin, Ph.D. "This is vital - not only does this gift allow us to help more students follow their dreams and advance their careers, but it also enables the University to provide more highly trained, professional nurses to a region battling a healthcare crisis."

Hospitals have a long tradition of serving as anchor institutions within their communities - not only by providing healthcare, but by hiring local workers and contractors, buying locally, and building new clinical facilities.

Compounding the nursing shortage is the lack of nursing faculty resulting in nursing schools turning away qualified applicants in baccalaureate and graduate programs.

"To meet the needs of patients in our region, hospitals have added new additions and expanded the roles of RNs. Our partnership with Mon Health will provide additional registered nurses for our region who are prepared to help address the multiple healthcare challenges we face," said Dr. Laura Clayton, Associate Dean of Nursing at Fairmont State University.