In an effort to produce more health professionals from diverse backgrounds, officials last week announced a multi-million dollar grant for Grand Valley State University’s Kirkhof College of Nursing.
Spectrum Health and McLaren Health Care will help the University recruit 60 nurses to earn degrees through a four-year program—and it’s all in an effort to support working nurses from underrepresented backgrounds who hope to obtain degrees.
Kimberly Keaton Williams is the Vice President of Talent Acquisition & Development and the Chief Diversity Officer at McLaren Health Care. She claims that this financial opportunity for "nurses who either come from a diverse background or a disadvantaged background helps to close the gap in some of our areas of nursing where we might see underrepresented groups.”
McLaren officials say that this move could increase education and enhance practices by three degrees, and will put students on the path to becoming successful leaders in their fields.
Officials say the grant is valued at $2.2 million.