Your people are your best asset. That is no surprise in business operations in any industry, but it is particularly important in healthcare. In recent months, you’ve likely heard (a few times) about nursing shortages, workforce challenges, the ‘Great Resignation’ and other impacts to staffing in industries across the country.
That’s why, at Altru, we are intentionally expanding the ways in which we support our workforce. Investing in Altru employees, their families and our region’s best and brightest growing minds is imperative to continue the delivery of world-class care to our community.
Supporting Employees Through Scholarships
In 2021,Altru Health Foundation provided $20,000 in scholarships to more than 25 employees – from radiology and surgical technicians, to registered nurses in both inpatient and outpatient settings, to managers of trauma services or progressive care units, to name just a few! Our employees are dedicated to advancing their education, and we were able to support a variety of degrees ranging from LPN certifications through doctoral programs. But, we know the need exceeds our available scholarship dollars and, year after year, we have tough selection decisions to make.
Through an online application process, employees share how they pursue learning while often balancing a full-time workload and family life. “Going back to school as a full-time working mother of two to attain a Bachelor of Science degree wasn’t easy (or cheap) but knowing that Altru offers resources to help attain these goals of continued education really makes me thankful and appreciative for the supportive environment,” shared Amanda Keating, a technologist at Altru Health System.
Will you help us grow our scholarship program for Altru employees?
This Giving Hearts Day (Feb. 10), with your help, we are making dreams come true for healthcare workers looking to further their education. Your generosity will support employees throughout the system and across the region as they pursue advanced education, degrees and certifications.
Support scholarships for healthcare workers by participating in Giving Hearts Day! All donations, up to $10,000, will be generously matched by Yorhom. Schedule your gift today, or give on February 10, at givingheartsday.org.
When you support continuing education scholarships for healthcare workers, you are supporting people like Kalie Bjerke who received a nursing scholarship from Altru Health Foundation.
"In addition to working full-time and going to school, my husband and I have four children. Support from this scholarship helped offset the cost of tuition and books, so I could spend more time with my family.”
Kalie has worked at Altru for 18 years. She began working full-time as an LPN while obtaining her RN. She is currently enrolled at Walden University to obtain her master's degree in executive nursing.
