With the help of a generous and dedicated philanthropy committee, Martin Health has developed an initiative to support the advancements in education for nursing staff. The initiative was created in response to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s call to increase the number of nurses with a baccalaureate degree by 80 percent by 2020. Martin Health is committed to reaching this goal as a system and enhancing the expertise and professional practice of its nurses.
The initiative will be funded through proceeds from the Chrysanthemum Ball, an annual event of the Martin Health Foundation. The Chrysanthemum Ball committee has committed to raising $1 million which will support advancements in education for approximately 120 Martin Health nurses who wish to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing degree.
Melissa Bennett, a nurse in the medical intensive care unit at Martin Medical Center in Stuart, expects to complete her BSN degree in April 2015. She has been able to further her studies with support from the Martin Health Scholarship Fund and another local foundation.“I’m very grateful for the support I received,” Bennett said. “It has enabled me to continue my studies without worrying about how I would pay for classes and books.”
Bennett is also actively involved in a BSN Task Force at Martin Health. “Research supports improved patient outcomes in hospitals with a higher percentage of baccalaureate prepared nurses,” she said. “I want to be a part of that future and am committed to eliminating barriers and supporting my peers in returning to school as well.”
The Chrysanthemum Ball committee’s generosity and commitment to advanced education for nurses has inspired many Martin Health nurses.
“They are investing in human lives – in both nurses and patients,” Bennett said. “Nurses are often called angels for their caring nature. Martin Health philanthropists are our angels!”
This year’s Chrysanthemum Ball will be held on November 8 in Palm City. For more information about the event, visit www.martinhealth.org/mumball.