First class of Corewell Health Nurse Scholars to graduate from Grand Valley State University
April 25, 2024
Grand Rapids, Mich., April 25, 2024 – The inaugural class of Corewell Health’s Grand Valley State University Nurse Scholars Program will graduate Saturday, April 27, as part of a partnership between Corewell Health™ and Grand Valley State University.
Graduates of the program receive up to $20,000 in scholarship funds and must agree to two years of continual full-time employment with Corewell Health hospitals in West Michigan.
The inaugural Corewell Health Nurse Scholars Program cohort has 12 scholarship recipients.
“On behalf of the Kirkhof College of Nursing, we sincerely congratulate our first class of Corewell Health scholars as they graduate from our undergraduate nursing program. We couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments and the impact they will have on their patients, colleagues and the community,” said Amy Manderscheid, DNP, RN, AGPCNP-BC, AGNP-C, CMSRN, acting dean, Kirkhof College of Nursing. “This couldn’t be possible without the support Corewell Health has invested through generous scholarship support to ease the financial barrier in pursuing a nursing career.”
In 2022, Corewell Health hospitals in West Michigan and Grand Valley State University announced the partnership to address the nursing shortage.
Corewell Health pledged to invest more than $19 million over six years for the Corewell Health Nurse Scholars Program in grants and infrastructure investments that will create opportunities for 500 students to pursue a nursing degree at GVSU.
“We are delighted to welcome our first group of Corewell Health/Grand Valley State University nurse scholars into our workforce,” said Shawn Ulreich, DSc, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, chief nurse executive, senior vice president, Corewell Health hospitals in West Michigan. “As part of a strong partnership with Grand Valley State University Kirkhof College of Nursing, Corewell Health has invested significantly in infrastructure and student grants to increase the number of qualified nurses ready to serve our communities at Corewell Health hospitals and health care facilities in West Michigan.”
Each Corewell Health Nurse Scholar is provided a registered nurse coach from the organization to serve as a mentor throughout the nursing program as well as through their transition to practice within a Corewell Health hospital in West Michigan.
“It is an innovative model that surrounds the Corewell Health scholar with multi-pronged support. We are thrilled to serve as their academic partner in supporting the nursing workforce in West Michigan,” Manderscheid said.
A recognition ceremony for graduates of Grand Valley State University’s Kirkhof College of Nursing is at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at East Kentwood High School, 6230 Kalamazoo Ave SE., Kentwood. The official graduation will follow at 3 p.m. at Van Andel Arena, 130 Fulton St. W., Grand Rapids.
About Corewell Health™
People are at the heart of everything we do, and the inspiration for our legacy of outstanding outcomes, innovation, strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 65,000+ dedicated people—including more than 12,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 15,500 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities—and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members. Through experience and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. For more information, visit corewellhealth.org.