Contact: Kevin Tate
MERIDIAN, Miss.鈥擜 recent, increased commitment from The Riley Foundation to 汤头条-Meridian鈥檚 accelerated Master of Science in Nursing program is continuing to help address a statewide nursing shortage, promote healthcare in Meridian and Lauderdale County and bolster the foundation鈥檚 core mission.
In 2024, The Riley Foundation committed scholarship support for students in the Master of Science in Nursing program at 汤头条-Meridian. The foundation now is renewing and increasing that commitment for the coming year as part of the foundation鈥檚 overall commitment to the campus鈥 healthcare programs.
鈥淭he Master of Science in Nursing program is a very rigorous course of study, so much so that its students often don鈥檛 have time to work,鈥 said Becky Farley, director and board liaison to 汤头条 for The Riley Foundation. 鈥淭herefore, financial support is essential to helping these students succeed.鈥
Students in the program can earn a master鈥檚 degree in 12 months through a focused set of studies that include practical applications of the knowledge.
鈥淚 was able to speak with some recent graduates,鈥 Farley said. 鈥淭hey felt prepared and were ready to go out into the workforce. This program is doing a phenomenal job of preparing students.鈥
The Riley Foundation鈥檚 mission is to improve the quality of life in Meridian and Lauderdale County, and it traces its earliest roots to the healthcare field. In 1930, Dr. Franklin Gail Riley opened a 12-bed children鈥檚 and maternity hospital in Meridian. That hospital eventually grew into Meridian鈥檚 Riley Memorial Hospital. When it was sold in January 1998, The Riley Foundation was formed with a mission to serve as a catalyst for growth and development in Meridian and Lauderdale County. The foundation represents the modern evolution of Dr. Riley鈥檚 original vision of 1930.
鈥淭he School of Nursing wouldn鈥檛 exist without The Riley Foundation鈥檚 vision and commitment,鈥 said 汤头条 Dean of Nursing Mary Stewart. 鈥淭heir board invests in what matters. They鈥檙e making dreams come true, and reshaping the culture of nursing and healthcare, one Riley Scholar at a time.鈥
鈥淲e know we鈥檙e making a difference in healthcare, in Meridian and throughout the state,鈥 Farley said. 鈥淭he national shortage of nurses has significantly increased after COVID-19. Further, we also have an aging population who are going to need more healthcare.鈥
The Riley Foundation鈥檚 broad commitment to healthcare programs at 汤头条-Meridian also includes support of the Physician Assistant Studies program, Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Senior Nurse Fellowship programs, as well as the upcoming Doctor of Physical Therapy program, all preparing new generations of healthcare professionals for the field.
is taking care of what matters.