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IRSC/Cleveland Clinic Martin Health Named National Finalist for 2019 AACC Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership Award

April 30, 2019 Robert Lane

»¨¼¾´«Ã½ was named a national finalist for the 2019 American Association for Community Colleges (AACC) Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership Award for its partnership with Cleveland Clinic Martin Health.

»¨¼¾´«Ã½and Cleveland Clinic Martin Health were selected as the American Association of Community Colleges Outstanding (AACC) College/Corporate Partnership 2019 Finalist. Shown here during a presentation ceremony at Tradition Medical Center in Port St. Lucie are (left to right) Ann Hubbard, »¨¼¾´«Ã½Dean of Health Science, Debbie Perez, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health Assistant VP of HR, Susan Clark Cleveland Clinic Martin Health Chief Nursing Officer, and, Patricia Gagliano, »¨¼¾´«Ã½Assistant Dean of Nursing.

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Recognizing the need to expand its hospital workforce, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health and »¨¼¾´«Ã½collaborated to expand nursing enrollment. Financial support from Cleveland Clinic Martin Health enabled »¨¼¾´«Ã½to add four, full-time nursing faculty and create a $130,000 lab. This resulted in 80 additional students admitted to the »¨¼¾´«Ã½Nursing Program.

To promote student success, an Advanced Learning for Student Nurse Program was created to align curriculum at »¨¼¾´«Ã½with Cleveland Clinic Martin Health’s employment needs. Students enrolled in the program were also hired as nurse technicians with Cleveland Clinic Martin Health and provided $20,000 in scholarships. Of the 80 new students, 97% graduated from »¨¼¾´«Ã½and passed the National Council of Licensure Examination (NCLEX) on the first attempt. Upon successful completion of the program, 100% of the graduates were guaranteed employment with Cleveland Clinic Martin Health for two years.

The average annual wage for a registered nurse in the region is $44,512. With 80 new nurses, the area revenue generated equals $3.5 million annually, narrowing the wage and skills gap.