Gulf Coast College expands Simply Health Scholars Program, more nurses in the Panhandle
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (FLV) – Gulf Coast State College and Simply Healthcare Plans announced they are expanding the Simply Health Scholars Program, which was created in 2022 to increase the number of nurses who can provide access to care in medically underserved areas.
The announcement included a $100,000 donation from Simply Healthcare Plans for scholarships, bringing the total of donations to $200,000.
“Simply is committed to closing the gap in health disparities and supporting Florida’s workforce through the implementation of innovative solutions that can reinvent healthcare across the state,” Simply Healthcare Plans President Holly Prince said. “It’s vital our institutions on the front lines of health care education and training, including Gulf Coast State College, receive strong support, especially in rural and underserved communities.”
10 Gulf Coast State College nursing students will benefit from the $100,000 donation in the Panhandle and aims to keep them working in the region after graduation.
Recipients will receive scholarships that cover tuition and associated costs for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Scholarship recipients would pursue Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. They would need to commit to working as a nurse or health care practitioner for at least two years after graduation in Florida Health Plan Service Areas. Those areas include Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, or Washington counties.
“In partnership with Simply, we are able to unlock opportunities for our nursing students to continue their education and excel in their careers without financial strain or worry,” Gulf Coast State College Nursing Division Chair Dr. Keri Matheus said. “Together, we are equipping the next generation of nurses with the education and skills they need to make a positive difference in the healthcare world.”
Many hospitals in Florida currently face critical staffing shortages, according to a Nurse Workforce Projection Report published by the Florida Hospital Association. More specifically, 70% of hospitals in Florida face those shortages currently.
The report also predicts a shortage of nearly 60,000 nurses in Florida by 2035. The shortage is expected to have a more substantial impact on rural areas including several counties in the Panhandle.
“What an incredible gift from Simply Healthcare. With the nursing shortage this state is facing, we are so thankful for donations like this that help ease the financial strain for students and fulfill the needs of our healthcare industry,” Sen. Phillip Wayne “Griff” Griffitts Jr. said.
Those who wish to apply for the Simply Health Scholars Program can click here.
