On June 26th, 2023 Carlow University received nearly $2.6 million to increase the number of Family Nurse Practitioner graduates educated to provide primary care services, with advanced education in mental health, substance use disorders, and women’s and maternal health care.
The Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) grant – funded through the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is aimed at increasing access to primary care providers for those living in medically underserved communities. Dr. Deborah Mitchum, Chair of the Graduate Nursing Department, and Dr. Rhonda Maneval, Dean of the College of Health and Wellness and School of Nursing, co-authored the grant, which will provide substantial tuition scholarships for students attending Carlow’s Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner program.
This 4-year grant will fund the School of Nursing’s “IMPACT Project,” providing family nurse practitioner students with immersive clinical training experiences in medically underserved communities. Clinical training partners include Heritage Valley Health System and Three Rivers Alliance of Community Health Centers. A primary goal of the grant is for program graduates to work in communities with the most significant healthcare needs, including Beaver, Aliquippa, East Liberty, Sto-Rox, and the Pittsburgh Northside, thereby increasing access to high-quality healthcare.
Dr. Maneval said:
“Receiving the HRSA ANEW grant is a significant opportunity for the School of Nursing to build on its 75-year legacy of providing outstanding nursing education that focuses on improving the health care of communities through highly skilled, compassionate, and ethical nurses. This grant allows us to better ensure a pipeline of nurse practitioners into our communities experiencing the greatest healthcare challenges and needs. The grant will also support our efforts to recruit more diverse nursing students and enhance our graduates’ skills in caring for those with substance use disorders and mental health issues. We are thrilled to have received this funding and look forward to implementing the program.”