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University of Maryland School of Nursing Receives $1M Grant from MedStar Health

October 19, 2006

Initial funds to support Governor's Wellmobile program.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing has received a five-year, $1 million grant from MedStar Health, the largest hospital system in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region. Initial funding from the grant is earmarked for support of the Governor's Wellmobile program, which is managed by the School of Nursing. The Wellmobile program consists of four vans that travel throughout the state of Maryland providing primary health care services to underserved and uninsured citizens. The program also provides a venue for School of Nursing students – at both the undergraduate and graduate level where clinical skills are honed – to gain experience in a community health setting.

“As the largest regional health care provider, MedStar Health supports the need to address health disparities by providing basic primary care to underserved communities,” says Steven S. Cohen, FACHE, senior vice president of integrated operations at MedStar Health, and chair of the School of Nursing's Board of Visitors. “We also value the vital role that the School of Nursing plays in educating future nurses who will provide direct patient care to residents throughout the region. MedStar Health is proud to offer this community benefit in a meaningful way.”

The School of Nursing and MedStar Health also plan to pursue joint activities in support of the School's environmental health, clinical research management, and nursing informatics programs; encourage MedStar Health industry partners to explore opportunities with the School; and facilitate clinical training for School of Nursing students at MedStar hospitals and other provider facilities.

“We are very excited about this new partnership with MedStar Health,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “As a health care organization, they understand and are willing to invest in quality health care for all members of our society, as well as optimal educational opportunities for the next generation of nurses.”