PRESS RELEASE
Date: October 5, 2022
Contact Name: Marcia Sturdivant, Ph.D.
Contact Title: President and CEO
Organization Phone Number: 412.566.2760
Email Address: http//:www.needld.org or needpgh@gmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEED Awarded Grant from Eden Hall Foundation to Address African American Nursing Shortages
NEED, a local college access and scholarship non-profit is pleased to announce that a grant of $410,000.00 has been awarded by the Eden Hall Foundation to increase nursing diversity in Western Pennsylvania.
Dr. Marcia Sturdivant, President and CEO states: “Eden Hall Foundation’s generosity will provide unprecedented opportunities for aspiring nurses. NEED values Eden Hall Foundation’s continued commitment to the Pittsburgh community and the students we serve. This funding will turn dreams into real opportunities for a brighter future and better community”.
Sylvia Fields, Executive Director, Eden Hall Foundation noted: “Lessons learned from the recent pandemic motivates us to provide resources that will result in better health care outcomes for all. The future health of our region depends on a collective response and a well-trained workforce representing the values, diversity, and strengths of the region. By putting philanthropy in action, to achieve equity in social, economic mobility, and healthcare outcomes, we can strengthen our communities. The Foundation is proud to support NEED in creating pathways for a new generation of nurses.”
The grant is the result of research indicating that the lack of diversity within the nursing profession contributes to negative patient outcomes. Less than 6% of the region’s registered nurses are African American. America’s overall health depends on the continuous promotion of diversity in education, career growth, and employment. Increased representation in health care can lead to increased levels of trust, creativity, communication, and enhanced understanding with reduced health disparities.
NEED was founded in 1963 to provide scholarship assistance promoting college entry for motivated African American students, who had the desire and academic qualifications, but not the financial means to support their college dreams. Since that time, NEED has been the answer for much of Pittsburgh’s African American college educated population. Sixty years later, NEED has grown into a full service nationally recognized college preparatory program, awarding over $43,000,000.00 in scholarships to 41,000 Pittsburgh students.
Grant funds will support the implementation of a culturally-specific mentoring and training model aimed at increasing nursing diversity in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. In addition to programming services, students completing the preparatory program will be eligible for scholarships totaling $200,000 to support their nursing education.
For more information on the program and/or NEED, contact us at www.needld.org or call 412-566-2760.
