S.C. BlueCross Foundation presents grant to CON

The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation presented a $250,000 check to MUSC's College of Nursing Nov. 15. The college will use the funds for a project called "Expanding the Pipeline of Primary Care Nurse Practitioners," which entails adding 70 doctoral students per year who will become nurse practitioners working in primary care throughout the state.

"The MUSC College of Nursing is so very appreciative of this grant from the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation," said Gail Stuart, Ph.D., R.N., dean of the college. "With their support, we have entered into a true partnership focused on improving the health of the people of South Carolina. Our College of Nursing has risen to the challenge of providing primary care nurse practitioners who can open the doors of access to quality health care. This grant allows us to double the numbers of advanced practice nurses who will serve the people of our state. This would not have been possible without this partnership."

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina presents a check for $250,000 to Dr. Gail Stuart, dean of MUSC's College of Nursing. The college will use the funds for a project called "Expanding the Pipeline of Primary Care Nurse Practitioners," which entails adding 70 doctoral students per year who will become nurse practitioners working in primary care throughout the state. From left are: Laurie Scott, MUSC College of Nursing, director of Development; Rev. Sidney Davis, Zion Olivet Presbyterian Church; Lisa Montgomery, MUSC vice president for finance and administration; Ann Edwards, wife of Dr. James Edwards; Stuart; Harvey Galloway, executive director, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation; Dr. James Edwards, MUSC President Emeritus; Sen. Paul Campbell; and Representative Chip Limehouse.

BlueCross Foundation's executive director, Harvey Galloway, is pleased to be able to support the College of Nursing's goal to prepare more graduates to practice nursing at the highest clinical level. "Most of these students are from South Carolina; they stay in South Carolina and many go into primary care in the rural areas where there is a critical need for more medical practitioners," he said. "Our nursing workforce is crucial for meeting the needs of underserved populations in South Carolina, yet our state ranks 35th nationally in the number of nurse practitioners. We see this as an excellent investment to improve the health of our citizens."

The event was one in a series the foundation is hosting around the state to present its grants and honor the recipients. Since the foundation was established in 2003, it has allocated more than $40.4 million in S.C. to address issues such as childhood health, community health, mental health, obesity, diabetes, nursing and health research, and the increasing need for free medical clinics.

Friday, Nov. 23, 2012