2008-05-23 23:21:39 -
www.unitedhealthcare.com - UnitedHealthcare Peter O'Neill, 702-242-7156 poneill@sierrahealth.com UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) and Sierra Health Services Inc. have awarded a $500,000 grant to the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Nursing. The grant, payable at $100,000 for five years, will be used to fund two graduate fellowships in the Master of Nursing (MSN) program and two graduate fellowships in the Doctor of Nursing (Ph.D.) program.
The funds aim to increase the quality and quantity of students able to attend nursing school full time and complete their advanced study within two years (MSN) or three years (Ph.D.). The UnitedHealth Group/Sierra fellowships, when combined with a Graduate Assistant position, are expected to offer a competitive financial package that will enable UNLV
to recruit, retain and graduate outstanding nursing students.
"Nursing professionals are one of the key foundations of our health care system. The combined effects of a nationwide shortage with the expanding population of Nevada make the training and placement of qualified nurses a critical objective for our state," said Jonathon Bunker, CEO, southwest region of UnitedHealthcare. "We hope that the grant we are providing today will help us take another small step toward achieving that objective."
The UNLV School of Nursing offers a variety of programs to meet the needs of those entering nursing and current nurses who are interested in continuing their education. The School of Nursing focuses its efforts in the areas of health promotion, disease prevention, health restoration, advancements in technology and the communities they serve.
UnitedHealth Group and Sierra have committed to distributing charitable grants that provide meaningful benefits to individual Nevadans in need and key organizations deemed essential to providing health care services and coverage in the state. The UNLV School of Nursing grant is part of an overall $15 million commitment to Nevada by the combined organization and reinforces UnitedHealth Group/Sierra Health's historic and ongoing commitment to enhance Nevada's health care delivery system.
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to making health care work better. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through seven operating businesses: UnitedHealthcare, Uniprise, Ovations, AmeriChoice, OptumHealth, Ingenix and Prescription Solutions. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 70 million individuals nationwide. Visit www.unitedhealthgroup.com for more information.
Five-Year Grant Supports Graduate Fellowships in Master of Nursing
and Doctor of Nursing Programs
