Events
WakeMed Honored for Commitment to Wake Tech
Hospital Receives Prestigious Philanthropy Award
RALEIGH, N.C. (November 5, 2010) – WakeMed Health & Hospitals has been helping Wake Technical Community College provide high-quality training for the region's nurses and health professionals for more than 50 years. Now, that impressive commitment will be recognized with a national philanthropy award. The Council for Resource Development (CRD), based in Washington, D.C., has announced that WakeMed will receive the Community College Benefactors Award. The award is given annually to 10 donors that make outstanding contributions to the work of community colleges. It is the only national honor that spotlights philanthropic support for two-year institutions of higher education.
"As the largest private employer and the primary provider of health care in Wake County, it is both our honor and our responsibility to support our educational system. As such, we have formed strong partnerships with Wake County Public Schools and Wake Tech and frequently collaborate to provide opportunities that enrich students' experiences and help them on the path to becoming productive, contributing members of our community. Additionally, we have a vested interest in ensuring our educational system has the tools and resources it needs, because whether students choose a career in health care, culinary arts, or information technology there is a place for them at WakeMed," commented Dr. Bill Atkinson, president & CEO, WakeMed.
WakeMed's long-standing partnership with Wake Tech strengthened in recent years, as a result of a critical nursing shortage in the area. Under Dr. Atkinson's leadership, WakeMed began to allow staff nurses to teach at Wake Tech while remaining on the hospital's payroll. The arrangement gives students access to the very latest techniques and technologies - and to the expertise of successful professionals working in the field - while helping the college turn out more qualified nurses to meet community demand. WakeMed also established an emergency fund to help promising nursing students overcome financial obstacles and succeed. In all, WakeMed's cash and in-kind contributions to the program and its students total more than $1.7 million.
"We're extremely proud of our world-class nursing education program," says Dr. Stephen Scott, president of Wake Tech, "and it simply would not be what it is without WakeMed. WakeMed's commitment to Wake Tech has profoundly affected this community and region, ensuring that doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals, and rescue squads are staffed with highly-skilled professionals capable of delivering the best possible care."
WakeMed and the other award recipients were nominated and selected by community college personnel from across the country. The winners will be recognized at a CRD awards banquet in Washington D.C. on November 5, 2010.
CRD President Deb Wilson stated, "These benefactors recognize the value of supporting their local community college. A vast majority of community college students live, work and pay taxes in the community after they graduate. The return on investment is huge."
CRD is an education and networking affiliate of the American Association of Community Colleges based in Washington, D.C. They represent almost 1600 community college resource development officers at more than 700 two-year colleges across the country. The council supports professionals and develops leaders engaged in community college resource development through education, advocacy and mentoring. About WakeMed Health & Hospitals WakeMed Health & Hospitals is a private, not-for-profit health care organization based in Raleigh, N.C. The 870-bed system comprises a network of health care facilities throughout Wake and Johnston Counties. Centers of excellence include cardiac and vascular care, women's and children's services, physical rehab, emergency and trauma, orthopedics, neurosciences, home care and numerous wellness and community outreach programs. WakeMed's team of 7,750 employees, 1,000 volunteers and more than 1,000 affiliated physicians serve the residents of North Carolina using the most advanced technologies to ensure the finest in health care. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org.
