Georgetown University and Catholic Health Initiatives Form Affiliation to Support Nursing Leadership, Quality of Care
Posted in News Release
Washington, D.C. – Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies (NHS) (new window) and Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) (new window) – the nation’s second largest Catholic health care system – have formed an affiliation to support nursing leadership development and quality of care.
Through the arrangement, nurse employees of Colorado-based CHI who are accepted to and enrolled in Nursing@Georgetown, the online master of science (MS) degree in nursing program from NHS, will receive a 12 percent scholarship. Students will complete the clinical portion of their program in or close to their own communities.
“This is a great match and alignment of missions,” said Martin Y. Iguchi, Ph.D. (new window), dean of the School of Nursing & Health Studies. “Our master’s program in nursing – offered both on campus and online – is guided by a strong values-based model that is grounded in the university’s Catholic, Jesuit identity. Our goal is to educate advanced nurse leaders and impact the health of communities around the nation with an eye toward underserved areas. With its large network of hospitals and faith-oriented approach, Catholic Health Initiatives will be a great collaborator in this effort.”
CHI currently operates in 19 states and includes 76 hospitals; 40 long-term care, assisted-and residential-living facilities; two community health-services organizations; two accredited nursing colleges; and home health agencies. In fiscal year 2011, CHI provided more than $612 million in charity care and community benefit, including services for the poor, free clinics, education, and research.
“We are focused on implementing evidence-based care, advancing nursing leadership, and promoting quality and safety – all within our organization’s faith-based mission,” said Kathleen D. Sanford, DBA, RN, CENP, FACHE (new window), senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Catholic Health Initiatives. “Providing our nurses the opportunity to pursue an advanced nursing degree from the nation’s oldest Catholic, Jesuit university will benefit them as individuals, as well as the patients we serve across our diverse network of clinical sites.”
Nurses– who are BSN or CNL prepared – are able to apply for one of four specialties offered through Georgetown’s online program: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, and Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. To learn more about the online graduate nursing program at Georgetown and its admissions process, visit online.nursing.georgetown.edu (new window).
Media Contacts:
Karen Mallet/Georgetown University Medical Center: km463@georgetown.edu
Michael Romano/Catholic Health Initiatives: michaelromano@catholichealth.net
About Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies
Founded in 1903, Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies is a part of Georgetown University Medical Center (new window). The school houses four academic departments in Health Systems Administration, Human Science, International Health, and Nursing, as well as the Center for Health Equity – Research, Implementation, and Teaching. Faculty and students advance the school’s mission – which, in part, reads, “to improve the health and well being of all people” – through teaching, research, scholarship, and service. Alumni are leaders in academe, clinical and community settings, the federal government, and the non-profit sector. Recent graduates have gone on to well-known graduate programs, pursue opportunities for service through the Peace Corps and Teach for America, and work at highly regarded organizations.
About Georgetown University Medical Center
Georgetown University Medical Center is an internationally recognized academic medical center with a three-part mission of research, teaching and patient care (through MedStar Health). GUMC’s mission is carried out with a strong emphasis on public service and a dedication to the Catholic, Jesuit principle of cura personalis — or “care of the whole person.” The Medical Center includes the School of Medicine and the School of Nursing & Health Studies, both nationally ranked; Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute; and the Biomedical Graduate Research Organization (BGRO), which accounts for the majority of externally funded research at GUMC including a Clinical Translation and Science Award from the National Institutes of Health. In fiscal year 2010-11, GUMC accounted for 85 percent of the university’s sponsored research funding.