Miami Dade College embarks on new partnership with Palmetto General Hospital
Front row, left to right: Marielena A. Villamil, Grisel Fernandez-Bravo, Dr. Kathy Sigler, Helen Aguirre Ferré. Back row, left to right: Robert H. Fernandez, Armando J. Bucelo, Jr., Peter W. Roulhac.
Miami, Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - Colleges play a vital role in the sustainability of a community by initiating lasting relationships with industry that foster opportunity. To that end, Miami Dade College (MDC) officially announces the beginning of a new partnership with Palmetto General Hospital to help meet the national demand for nursing professionals.
“This is a wonderful partnership that helps students become nurses, while helping Palmetto and the community meet their nursing shortage,” said Dr. Kathy Sigler, interim president at the Medical Center Campus.
Grisel Fernandez Bravo, chief nursing officer at Palmetto General and MDC alumna, presented the College’s Foundation with a check for nearly $115,000 to provide nursing scholarships, as well as to cover books, uniforms and other educational fees. This initiative was also made possible with the assistance of Ana Mederos, another MDC alumna and Palmetto General’s chief executive officer.
Palmetto General serves as the pilot site for Tenet Health Systems to train additional nurses to staff their hospitals. Currently, 20 MDC students, also referred to as Palmetto Scholars, are enrolled in the program. Following four semesters of instruction, students will graduate, take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and have a secure job waiting at the hospital.
This semester, MDC embarks on a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The new degree initiative opens another door for many students interested in a nursing career, but who are not admitted into other baccalaureate nursing programs because they are at capacity.
For more information about MDC’s nursing programs, contact the School of Nursing at 305-237- 4101 or visit http://www.mdc.edu/medical/Nursing/Default.asp.
Media-only contacts:
Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu, MDC communications director
Beverly C. Williams, 305-237-3949, brodrigu@mdc.edu, MDC media relations director
Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu, media specialist