SURPRISE, ARIZ., July 16, 2015 – Sun Health Foundation (SHF) recently launched a new scholarship program for Banner Boswell Medical Center and Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center employees interested in obtaining a nursing degree.
Scholarships will be awarded annually to a select number of employees at each hospital who are currently enrolled in or newly accepted into an accredited nursing program. Nursing leaders at the two hospitals also are eligible.
“Sun Health is so privileged to serve a community that not only appreciates the work of our hospital professionals, but opens their hearts and pockets to help them become better educated and more skilled,” Sun Health Foundation development director Bonnie Banks Olsen said.
A SHF Scholarship Committee will review applications and decide on the awardees. In addition, the committee will consider requests from the hospitals for continuing education opportunities for its nurses, such as attending professional conferences.
“Based on feedback we received from surveys, it’s clear that our employees value education,” Banner Del E. Webb chief nursing officer, Susan Kelley said. “That’s why we’re so excited for our employees and why we’re so appreciative to Sun Health Foundation and their donors for this new scholarship program.”
Susan Hopf, Banner Boswell’s chief nursing officer, echoed those sentiments. “We are very excited about any opportunity we can offer our staff members to help them gain knowledge and skills. We thank Sun Health for partnering with us to provide even more educational opportunities for team Boswell.”
SHF donors have funded scholarships for nursing students since 1980 when Mesa Community College established a nursing education program on the Boswell Memorial Hospital campus. Mesa closed its program at Boswell in 2013. Shortly after, Grand Canyon University’s nursing school opened a satellite program in a 21,000-square-foot facility located on the banks of Viewpoint Lake in Sun City, just across the street from Banner Boswell. SHF provides scholarship opportunities to those nurses as well.
About Sun Health Foundation
For nearly 50 years, Sun Health Foundation donors have supported superior health care in the West Valley. The foundation is the philanthropic partner to the Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Banner Boswell and Banner Del E. Webb medical centers, as well as community wellness programs and senior living services provided by Sun Health. Learn more at www.sunhealthfoundation.org.
About Sun Health
A long-standing community partner championing healthy living, nonprofit Sun Health is a community-based organization providing pathways to population health through philanthropy, senior living, community programs and superior health care. Learn more at www.SunHealth.org.
