The New Mexico State University Foundation has received a generous donation of $500,000 from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico. The donation includes two separate gifts, one for $300,000 to fund a professor of practice in the NMSU School of Nursing for three years, and another for $200,000 to support students studying social work or nursing.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico Professor of Practice position aims to address the need for nurses and nurse practitioners in rural counties of New Mexico. This initiative will focus on community outreach to enhance nursing workforce development, increase student enrollment, and expand teaching capacity within the School of Nursing.
Director of the NMSU School of Nursing, Alexa Doig, expressed gratitude for the funding, stating that it will significantly impact the lives of 20 senior nursing students in New Mexico. Doig emphasized the importance of the scholarship in allowing students to concentrate on their education without the burden of financial strain during their crucial final semesters.
The $200,000 gift will go towards scholarships for students studying social work or nursing who commit to working in New Mexico for at least one year post-graduation. This collaboration with the university's College of Health, Education and Social Transformation is part of a larger workforce initiative grant to enhance care access for New Mexico Medicaid beneficiaries.
Reflecting on the impact of the donation, 2022 graduate Sherri Howeya, now a registered nurse at Dialysis Clinic Inc., shared, "The BCBSNM gift awarded to the NMSU School of Nursing during my years as a nursing student helped fund the foundation of my nursing career." Howeya, who serves her tribal community and surrounding areas as a dialysis nurse, highlighted the vital role of financial support in overcoming barriers to education.
Nancy Smith-Leslie, vice president of BCBSNM's Medicaid program, reiterated the organization's commitment to reducing financial obstacles for students pursuing healthcare careers in New Mexico. The partnership aims to strengthen the healthcare workforce, ultimately improving access and health outcomes for all residents of the state.
The overarching goal of NMSU is to establish a nursing career pipeline program for rural and tribal communities in New Mexico. This program will involve outreach, education about healthcare careers, mentorship, and collaboration with rural healthcare organizations to support students in returning to their communities post-graduation.
In conclusion, the generous contributions from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico will play a pivotal role in training and providing much-needed nurses and social workers for underserved areas in the state, ultimately improving healthcare access and outcomes for all New Mexicans.