FMU Receives Gift From McLeod Health

Pictured left to right: Janet Belew, Academic Nursing Student Coordinator for McLeod Health; Lauren Stanton, Vice President of Institutional Advancement for the Francis Marion University Education Foundation; Dr. Fred Carter, President of Francis Marion University; Tony Derrick, Chief Nursing Officer for McLeod Regional Medical Center; and Charity Gerald, Director of Recruiting & Workforce Development for McLeod Health.

McLeod Health Partners in Nursing Education Program

As a partner in nursing education for the region, McLeod Health has made a contribution of $75,000 to Francis Marion University to help maintain their nursing program.

Nursing represents the nation’s largest health care profession and the largest single component of hospital staff. Additional nurses will be needed to care for the aging population, who typically have more medical problems than younger people.

“The need for healthcare services is increasing due to many factors including the national shortage of nurses as well as the growing number of aging baby boomers,” stated Tony Derrick, Chief Nursing Officer for McLeod Regional Medical Center. “Partnering with Francis Marion University to educate nurses – who will in turn care for the people of our region – directly aligns with our organization’s mission and core values.”

Because nurses are essential to health care and the region’s economy, this area is very fortunate to have a nursing education program at Francis Marion University.

FMU’s Department of Nursing offers a full range of nursing programs including BSN, RN to BSN, Nurse Educator, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and the Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Dr. Fred Carter, President of Francis Marion University, called the latest contribution by McLeod an important part of a vital and ongoing partnership.

“McLeod has been one of FMU’s strongest advocates educationally. They have funded the tuition of thousands of our nursing students and provided clinical training to students throughout our medical and health sciences. Generous gifts like this serve to ensure that the cost of our programs remain affordable and accessible to people throughout the region.”

This article is published with permission from McLeod Health.