BY JIM HALL
The nursing program at Germanna Community College has received $100,000 from the new Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, one of a series of gifts to the school from local hospitals.
The Spotsylvania hospital made the unrestricted gift last week. Germanna President David Sam said Tuesday that he is not sure how the school will use the money. It could go for the new LPN-to-RN program or to purchase equipment for Germanna's virtual hospital, Sam said.
The donation brings to $150,000 the support Germanna has received from Spotsylvania Regional Hospital over three years.
"This donation recognizes the vital work being done by Germanna Community College, and it represents the beginning of what will surely be a strong relationship between our two organizations," Tim Tobin, chief executive officer of the new hospital, said in a prepared statement.
Spotsylvania Regional is under construction across the street from Germanna's Fredericksburg campus, off U.S. 17. The hospital is expected to open in June.
MediCorp Health System, parent company of Mary Washington Hospital and Stafford Hospital Center, has donated more than $1.4 million to Germanna's nursing program in recent years.
The Germanna Educational Foundation named MediCorp its philanthropist of the year last year for its support.
MediCorp last spring announced a commitment of $100,000 a year for five years. The gift is in honor of Jane Ingalls, who retired as Germanna's dean of nursing last year.
Culpeper Regional Hospital also has supported Germanna's nursing school, donating nearly $225,000 over three years.
"The relationship between our program and the hospitals is a very close one," Sam said. "We need each other. They need us to continue to provide quality nurses and health technicians. We need them for clinical sites."
About 75 registered nurses and 30 licensed practical nurses graduate from Germanna's program each year.
In addition, the school operates pharmacy technician, dental hygiene and certified nursing assistant programs.
Jim Hall: 540/374-5433
Email: jhall@freelancestar.com