MARCH 14, 2003 - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Director David C. Hollister announced today that the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS) is presenting $30,000 to six Michigan colleges and universities to provide scholarships for students in the registered nurse program.

Each university and college is receiving a $5,000 nursing scholarship grant as part of a program initiated in 2000 by CIS to address a national shortage in the nursing profession.  The Michigan Board of Nursing, a CIS board of health professionals and public members, proposed a scholarship fund after it determined a need for nursing The colleges and universities receiving the grants and the scholarship recipients are:

Finlandia University: Diane Frisinger (Houghton), Cindy Helppi (Calumet), Kara Johnson (Hancock), Anna Jones-Gundersen (Hancock), and Heather Turpeinen (L’Anse).

Hope-Calvin College: Kathleen Miller (Belmont), Erin Hughes (Rochester Hills), Sandra VanLeeuwen (Jenison), and Kieu T. Nguyen (Wyoming).

Kellogg Community College: Andrea Corrion (Hastings)

Mott Community College: Carolyn Collins (Flint), Joy Harlow (Davison), Svetlana Milker (Flint), William Robinson (Lapeer), and LaShonda Williams (Flint).

Oakland Community College: Jacqueline Florence (Detroit), Darshana Patel (Rochester Hills), and Manuela Miron (Pontiac).

Saginaw Valley State University: Kristin Short (Bay City), Terrance Mack (Saginaw), Adebola Grillo (Midland), and Margaret Prince-Brookhouse (Essexville).

Hollister said the state program disbursed $225,000 in its first year to Michigan colleges and universities to train 45 advanced practice nurses to work in medically underserved communities.  The program is expected to provide more than $200,000 in scholarships this fiscal year for students pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree to become a registered nurse.

“Nurses are part of the heart and soul of the medical community in Michigan,” said Granholm.  “The women and men who choose nursing as a career deserve our praise and our thanks…I’m pleased to be able to say that we can now offer them at least a little financial assistance in reaching their goals.”        

“The response to the program by the eligible Michigan colleges and universities has been very enthusiastic.  Health care statistics indicate a need for nursing professionals across the nation, and Michigan is certainly no exception,” Hollister said.  “Our goal is to have the scholarship recipients working in different counties in Michigan to provide better coverage in areas where their vital services are needed the most.”

CIS invited 46 Michigan schools with accredited nursing programs to apply for participation in the scholarship program.

The scholarships will provide a one-time grant to students for tuition, books and fees.

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.