Expanding the health care work force
Investing in the next generation of medical professionals is a cornerstone of the North Lincoln Hospital Foundation’s mission. Ultimately, helping local residents pursue careers in medicine also benefits local patients. To help achieve this goal, the foundation offers three different scholarships:
The Mary Decker Healthcare Education Endowment Scholarship Fund has been established to attract qualified applicants to careers in health care and provide annual scholarships for Lincoln County residents who are pursuing a degree in a medical or paramedical field at a college or university of their choice.
The CNA Fund has been established to fund training and continuing education for Certified Nursing Assistants currently employed at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital.
The Medical Training Assistance Program provides tuition scholarships to help hospital employees obtain certification or degrees in nursing, diagnostic imaging, laboratory sciences and other medical/technical fields.
Reaching out to those with diabetes
Nearly 21 million children and adults in the United States, or 7 percent of the population, have diabetes. The percentage is even higher in Lincoln County. The North Lincoln Hospital Foundation supports the Diabetes Management Program at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital, which includes a series of classes emphasizing self management and learning how to take charge of diabetes by understanding the importance of healthy eating, exercise and activity, blood sugar monitoring, and medication options.
In addition, the foundation also provides financially qualified patients with diabetes supplies such as insulin and glucometers.
Bringing art to patients and caregivers
Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital is part of a nation-wide movement to incorporate music, writing and visual art into health care while promoting the well-being of those who are ill and their caregivers. New clinical research is quantifying the health benefits of the arts, from pain relief to faster recoveries. The inherent goal is to humanize the care provided by offering creative channels for expression, stress reduction and the enhancement of positive thought processes.
Funding from the North Lincoln Hospital Foundation provides opportunities for the development, integration and expansion of the hospital’s arts program by purchasing art carts, art supplies, and offering artists the opportunity to work with patients in the Emergency Department, Ambulatory Infusion and the In-patient Med/Surg unit. Large-scale murals and tangible art projects are also planned for the public areas of the hospital.