PRESS RELEASE: DECEMBER 10, 2024

SJR State, HCA Florida Putnam Hospital partnership brings $16K in scholarships

HCA Florida Putnam Hospital presents St. Johns River State College with a $16,000 contribution for scholarships. First row, from left Chief Nursing Officer Vanessa Barnes, Imaging Services Director Jana Rupp, HIT Director Yvette Jones, and Diagnostic Radiology Imaging Technician Kaylee Roberson.

Second row, Community Engagement AVP Denise Kendust, Chief Financial Officer Collin Pruitt, SJR State President Joe Pickens, HCA Florida Putnam Hospital CEO Landon Smith, and HCA Putnam Board Chair Benji Bates (Bates, Hewett & Floyd President).

HCA Florida Putnam Hospital continues its investment in the future of healthcare with its partnership with St. Johns River State College and a $16,000 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.

“We are honored to support St. Johns River State College’s efforts to increase access to healthcare careers,” said HCA Florida Putnam Hospital CEO Landon Smith. “Contributing to the St. Johns River State College Foundation helps connect more students to rewarding futures and helps answer a vital workforce need in our community.”

According to SJR State President Joe Pickens, the funds will provide tuition assistance that aids in program completion for students enrolled in SJR State’s nursing and allied health care programs. “We are extremely thankful for HCA Florida Putnam Hospital’s generosity and investment in scholarships for Putnam County students.

The contribution serves as a one-to-one match for the Florida Blue Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship, established in 2003. The endowment was established to help meet the growing need for skilled nurses and allied health professional within Florida. HCA Florida Putnam Hospital has been supporting the endowment fund for more than five years.

Members of the community and HCA employees are eligible to receive this financial assistance for tuition, books and fees.

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 Sonography, Emergency Medical Services; Emergency Medical Technician; Health Information Technology; Paramedic; Radiologic Technology; Respiratory Care; and Medical Assisting. For more information, visit www.SJRstate.edu.

HCA Florida Putnam Hospital is a 99-bed acute-care hospital providing the latest technology with the assurance of highly trained, caring professionals to the residents of Putnam County. The hospital serves North Central Florida with a full complement of quality healthcare services while maintaining cost effectiveness. The hospital provides individualized care direct to the specific needs of each patient. HCA Florida Putnam Hospital offers a 10-bed Intensive/Critical Care Unit, Step-Down Care Unit, Cardiac Catheterization Lab, medical and surgical units, and a 24-hour emergency department as well as providing inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services.