McLeod Health Announces Continued Commitment to Grow Nursing Programs
Contribution will Support Nursing Education at Horry-Georgetown Technical College
On September 15, McLeod Health expressed their continued commitment to nursing education at Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC). McLeod Loris Seacoast Chief Nursing Officer Amanda Mills and McLeod Loris Seacoast Administrator Dick Tinsley were on hand to present a $50,000 gift to Horry-Georgetown Technical College.
“This generous grant and compassionate spirit it represents will enhance the college’s ability to continue to offer the highest quality nursing education and patient care to our community,” said Neyle Wilson, President of Horry-Georgetown Technical College.
“We have always taken great pride in working with Horry Georgetown in providing our future surgical, laboratory, and radiology technicians and nurses in providing compassionate care to our patients and families,” said Amanda Mills. “McLeod Health is a growing facility with 6 facilities and 71 physician practices, and we understand the importance of investing in education. We are proud to give this gift to HGTC as we invest in our students, our employees, and our community as they continue advancing educational opportunities.”
HGTC’s Department of Nursing offers the Associate in Applied Science in Nursing (ADN) degree prepares students for the challenges of modern healthcare. The classroom instruction that is provided in nursing concepts, coupled with laboratory practice and clinical experience at area healthcare providers, ensures that students are well-qualified to enter the field. A well-qualified nursing staff is essential for excellent healthcare.
“The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be over 1 million job openings for nurses by the year 2022, and according to the American Journal of Medical Quality the RN shortage will be the most intense in the South and West,” said Christy Cimineri, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs: Nursing and Associated Healthcare Sciences. “The American Association of Colleges of Nurses (AACN), states that tens of thousands of qualified applicants are turned away from nursing schools each year due in part to an insufficient number of nursing faculty. I am excited and thankful that McLeod Health is willing to invest in Nursing Faculty Scholarship to improve the overall health care services of our communities. By investing in nursing faculty, McLeod Health is assisting HGTC to be able to continue to provide skilled competent nurses for all of our health care organizations and facilities.”
“Our nursing students benefit continually from their clinical experiences at McLeod Loris Seacoast and now our nursing staff will benefit from this substantial grant that affirms their professional excellence in healthcare training,” said Wilson. “HGTC’s partnership with McLeod Health is good for the college, area physicians and the health of local residents.”
“This gift is consistent with McLeod’s mission and values, and from the classroom to the bedside, we know this gift will help students to excel in their studies and provide quality healthcare. Thank you for allowing McLeod Health to give back to our area,” said Mills.
Because nurses are so essential to healthcare and the region’s economy, this area is fortunate to have this program available to the community.
"McLeod Health understands the importance of education," said Dick Tinsley. "This donation reflects McLeod's commitment to this community as well as Horry-Georgetown Technical College to continue offering advanced curriculum to all students who are in the healthcare field."
About McLeod Loris and McLeod Seacoast:
McLeod Loris and McLeod Seacoast provide care for residents of northern Horry and
southern Brunswick and Columbus counties. Founded in 1950, McLeod Loris is a fully-accredited
acute care facility with 105 licensed beds. McLeod Seacoast opened in 2000 as an outpatient
facility. In July 2011, McLeod Seacoast began providing inpatient care as a 50-bed
hospital. On January 9, 2012, both facilities became part of the McLeod family of
quality healthcare facilities. An additional facility located in Horry County affiliated
with McLeod Health is the Center for Health and Fitness.
Pictured above from left to right: Linda Johnson, AVP Patient Services McLeod Loris Seacoast; Nancy Barnes, VP Patient Services McLeod Loris Seacoast; Cindy Hyatt, VP Patient Services McLeod Loris Seacoast; Dick Tinsley, Administator of McLeod Loris Seacoast; Chaele Ellsworth, AVP Quality and Safety McLeod Loris Seacoast; Amanda Mills, AVP of Nursing McLeod Loris Seacoast; Dr. Phil Render, Assistant Provost, HGTC Grand Strand Campus; Buzz Freeman, Chair of the Horry-Georgetown Technical College Foundation; HGTC President Neyle Wilson; Tom Maser, Executive Director of the HGTC Foundation; Dr. Christy Cimineri, Dean of Allied Health Science; Senior Vice President Dr. Marilyn Fore, Prof. Ann Daniels, Chair of Nursing.
CONTACT: Jenna Cox, Director of Communications & Public Information
McLeod Loris Seacoast
4000 Highway 9 E. Suite 250
Little River, SC 29566
Phone: 843.390.8325