UIU supports Palmer Lutheran Patients First campaign
Fayette, Iowa (November 14, 2006) – At the request of Upper Iowa University President Dr. Alan Walker, UIU’s board of directors approved to pledge $50,000 to Palmer Lutheran Health Center’s Patients First campaign. Palmer Lutheran’s 2006 three-year capital campaign was implemented to raise money for a $9 million expansion and renovation to its hospital in West Union.
"Palmer Lutheran Health Center is very appreciative of the generous donation that Upper Iowa has given to our Patients First campaign,” said Deb Chensvold, president and CEO of Palmer Lutheran Health Center. “It shows the commitment that UIU has to health care services in our community. Our two organizations have enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with student health services and sports medicine over the years. That relationship will soon be made even stronger with the addition of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, in which Palmer Lutheran will be utilized as a clinical site for the nursing students."
Upper Iowa University recently introduced its new Registered Nursing to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) program, with the first classes to begin January 15, 2007. UIU will partner with Palmer Lutheran for clinical experiences for its nursing students. According to Dr. Margaret Wimmer, UIU associate professor of nursing and director of nursing education, “We hope to match students with nurse preceptors from Palmer Lutheran so our students can learn leadership skills in the clinical area from high-quality, experienced nurses.”
In addition to Palmer Lutheran, UIU’s RN-BSN program will partner with several other local health care facilities, who are also interested in expanding the availability of BSN-prepared nurses in northeastern Iowa.
“I look forward to the improvement of health outcomes of the people in our communities through this partnership,” said Wimmer. “It’s always been part of Upper Iowa University’s mission to be a community partner in moving all people forward and this is just one more example.”
Palmer Lutheran Health Center is one of the area’s largest employers and provides a wide range of health care services to the community. For more information about Palmer Lutheran Health Center, go to www.palmerlutheran.org.
For more information about Upper Iowa University’s RN-BSN degree program, go to www.uiu.edu.
Upper Iowa University President Dr. Alan Walker presented Palmer Lutheran Health Center President and CEO Deb Chensvold with a pledge for $50,000 for its Patients First capital campaign. Upper Iowa University recently added a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, which will start in January, 2007. UIU will partner with Palmer in that the hospital will serve as a clinical site for its nursing students. Pictured (l to r): Jennie Elsbernd, Palmer Lutheran development coordinator; Dr. Walker, Deb Chensvold, Cheryl Meyer, foundation director and co-campaign manager; Mike Eischeid, Upper Iowa University board member.