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Twelve students received scholarships to further their nursing education as Trinity Health Foundation hosted its 3^rd Annual Nursing Scholarship Banquet January 8 at the Grand Hotel. The event brought students and supporters together to recognize recipients and honor contributors to the Foundation’s Nursing Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Receiving awards of $3,750 each were Chelsey Bowley, Sydney Boyce, Jordan Eul, Jennifer Fettig, Lucas Kolden, Tyler Kroke, Mosope Osiyale, Jenna Routledge, Carly Sedevie, and Kayla Shearer, all pursuing nursing degrees at Minot State University; and Elyssa Handlen and Morgan Raap, both students at Dakota College of Bottineau.

Foundation Chairman Dr. Jeffrey Verhey congratulated students and thanked donors who responded to the Foundation’s goal to help ease a nationwide nursing shortage, expected to reach 1,000,000 by 2024. “We recognize the vital role that nurses play in providing medical care,” he said.  “We’re dedicated to helping address this issue by supporting the education of nursing students.”

Karen Zimmerman, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services with Trinity Health, said many experts predict that the nursing shortage will get worse as the Baby Boom generation continues to age. “North Dakota isn’t just fighting regionally for nurses, we’re fighting nationally and internationally,” she said.  “We know we need to increase enrollment in nursing programs, and one way to address this is through scholarships for students.”

Foundation Director Al Evon said the Nursing Scholarship Endowment Fund has provided scholarships of $3,000 or more to at least 10 students per year due to donor support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other organizations. He says 12 students received scholarships this year, thanks to a $75,000 grant from The Hearst Foundation.

Information about the Nursing Scholarship Program is available by calling 701- 857-5432 or logging on to the Foundation’s website at foundation.trinityhealth.org.