MODESTO, Calif. – Doctors Medical Center (DMC) in Modesto has made a $318,000 gift to California State University, Stanislaus to provide scholarships for high-achieving students seeking nursing degrees.
“At Doctors, we recognize that competent and knowledgeable nursing professionals start with a solid educational foundation. Although the value of that education can be priceless, we realize that the educational costs facing students can add up quickly,” Chief Executive Office Dennis Litos said. “Through these scholarships, we want to give outstanding students the opportunity to reach their fullest potential by minimizing financial barriers – and the assurance of knowing they have an excellent career opportunity awaiting with Doctors Medical Center.”
These merit-based, $15,000 Presidential Scholarships will be awarded to six nursing students per year for three years. Additionally, several students graduating from Modesto and Turlock high schools who are interested in health careers will receive $2,000 scholarships. Students receiving the DMC scholarships are guaranteed employment at Doctors Medical Center for three years upon graduation from CSU Stanislaus.
“California State University, Stanislaus applauds the generosity of Doctors Medical Center in helping to meet the serious demand for highly skilled nurses with four-year college degrees,” President Shirvani said. “This scholarship program will help CSU Stanislaus students acquire the kind of training that is so heavily needed as health care becomes more and more complex. We look forward to working in partnership with DMC to continue expanding our nursing degree program and meet important community needs.”
Gary Novak, Dean of the College of Human and Health Sciences, said, “The scholarships will enable students to concentrate on the academic and clinical studies without concerns about how they will be able to afford them.”
In an effort to help meet the critical shortage of qualified nurses, CSU Stanislaus has steadily expanded its nursing program in recent years.
A pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree program established in 2002 was expanded this past February to include a total of 70 slots per academic year for incoming students. Enrollment in the pre-licensure BSN Degree program is projected to increase to 240 over the next three years.
The curriculum in the Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing program for licensed registered nurses, which has been part of the University academic offerings since 1977, was revised in 2007 so that students can complete their coursework in three full-time semesters.
Doctors Medical Center of Modesto, part of Tenet California, is a 465-bed acute care hospital located at 1441 Florida Ave. in Modesto. DMC offers a wide range of services, including the cardiology, neurology, emergency and trauma services, women and children’s services, orthopedics, medical/surgical, behavioral health, oncology, and critical/intensive care. To learn more about Doctors Medical Center, or to receive a referral to one of our 550 affiliated physicians, visit www.dmc-modesto.com.