McLeod Health JULY 2, 2024
As a nursing education partner for the region, McLeod Health has contributed $75,000 to Coker University’s nursing program.
Nursing is the largest health profession in the country and the largest component of the hospital workforce.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in health care occupations will grow faster than the average for all occupations between 2022 and 2032, adding about 1.8 million new jobs each year.
“McLeod recognizes the tremendous value of nurses’ contributions to patient care,” said Tony Derrick, chief nursing officer at McLeod Regional Medical Center. “Patient advocacy, promoting a safe environment, participating in health policy development and patient education are also key roles of nurses.”
“This donation is a small token of appreciation for Coker University’s commitment to training future nurses and allied health professionals.”
Coker University launched its nursing program in fall 2022 and quickly expanded its offerings to include the Health Professionals-to-BSN (HP-BSN), RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN, BSN, MSN, and the University’s first doctoral program with the Doctor of Nursing Practice.
“We are extremely grateful for the support of McLeod Health,” said Dr. Carolyn Hart, Dean of Nursing at Coker University. “Coker University is doing some truly unique things in nursing education. We are very appreciative of the organization’s vote of confidence in all of Coker’s nursing program options and in our goal of contributing to a compassionate nursing workforce that is prepared to excel in today’s health care environment.”
“This gift will help advance Coker’s nursing programs, not only making a tremendous difference in the lives of our future Coker nursing graduates, but also improving the quality of health care throughout the region and state.”
“The collaboration and financial support of allied health nursing education is essential to McLeod and our region,” added Derrick. “With skilled nurses on the medical team, McLeod is able to fulfill its mission of providing quality health care to patients in the region.”
Image caption (left to right): Dr. Susan Henderson, Dean of Coker University; Dr. Carolyn Hart, Dean of Nursing at Coker; Dr. Natalie Harder, President of Coker University; Tony Derrick, Chief Nursing Officer at McLeod Regional Medical Center; Janet Belew, Academic Nursing Student Coordinator for McLeod Health; and Charity Gerald, Director of Recruitment and Workforce Development for McLeod Health.
