PRESS RELEASE: JANUARY 23, 2024
SJR State, HCA Florida Putnam Hospital partnership brings $14K in scholarships
HCA Florida Putnam Hospital continues its investment in the future of healthcare with its partnership with St. Johns River State College and a $14,000 contribution toward scholarships.
With health service occupations growing faster than the average rate for all occupations, the partnership helps ensure local access to high-quality healthcare training and provides a path to answering local workforce needs.
According to SJR State’s Foundation Director Kate Adornetto, the funds will provide tuition assistance that aids in program completion for students enrolled in SJR State’s health care programs and for the professional development of current HCA Florida Putnam Hospital employees.
“We are extremely thankful for HCA Florida Putnam Hospital’s generosity and investment in scholarships for Putnam County students. The hospital has continued to partner with the SJR State Foundation and match funds awarded to the College from Florida Blue, providing scholarships to students enrolled in SJR State’s health care programs and for the professional development of current employees. Together, HCA Florida Putnam Hospital and Florida Blue have awarded over $200,000 in scholarships. To date, 233 students have been impacted because of this partnership,” she said.
HCA Florida Putnam Hospital’s CEO Brian Nunn said the partnership is all about helping people. “It’s been a great opportunity to partner with the community and give back… giving deserving students the opportunity to go to school locally and further their lives and careers, and providing patients with a higher level of care so they don’t have to go anywhere else for quality care,” Nunn said. “ We love being part of creating a sense of family and a sense of community.”
In 2003, Florida Blue contributed $2.5 million to the Florida College Foundation to establish a statewide endowed nursing and allied health scholarship program. With matching funds from the State Legislature, a $5 million endowment was created to provide a sustained source of funding for student scholarships in nursing and other allied health programs at Florida’s colleges.
SJR State’s nursing programs include the ASN; Nursing: LPN Bridge to ASN; Practical Nursing; Nursing Assistant; and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The allied health programs include Emergency Medical Services; Emergency Medical Technician; Health Information Technology; Paramedic; Radiologic Technology; Respiratory Care; and Medical Assisting.
HCA Florida Putnam Hospital presents St. Johns River State College with a $14,000 contribution for scholarships. From left SJR State President Joe Pickens, SJR State Foundation Director Kate Adornetto, HCA Florida Putnam Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Denise Duty, and HCA Florida Putnam Hospital CEO Brian Nunn.