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Cleveland Clinic and The Howley Foundation are partnering with Ursuline College to expand the ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program to offer college scholarships to underrepresented students interested in pursuing registered nursing careers.
The ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program, established by Cleveland Clinic and supported by a $10 million gift from The Howley Foundation, is a local high school and college program that seeks to increase diversity in healthcare, address opportunity gaps and reduce health disparities in the community.
Approximately 25 students per year from Cleveland-area high schools enter the ASPIRE program as high school juniors and are taught relationship-based care, research and evidence-based practice, simulation healthcare and more. Seniors who choose to return to the program participate in a clinical nursing experience and have the opportunity to earn a scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions at Ursuline College after high school.
Students work as patient care nursing assistants (PCNAs) for Cleveland Clinic’s Stanley Shalom Zielony Institute for Nursing Excellence during the summer after high school graduation and throughout their college career. They will then have the opportunity to return to Cleveland Clinic to work as registered nurses for at least three years after college graduation and licensure.
“Through ASPIRE, we are increasing opportunities for underrepresented students and committed to developing a new generation of diverse and expertly trained nurses,” said Joan M. Kavanagh, Ph.D., R.N., Associate Chief Nursing Officer of Nursing Education and Professional Development at Cleveland Clinic. “In addition to providing access to Ursuline’s prestigious nursing program, students will be given room and board to ensure they have an optimal on-campus learning environment to complete their degree.”
Patricia Sharpnack, D.N.P., R.N., Dean of Ursuline’s Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions, agrees. “We are committed to providing the resources and wrap-around services that will ensure student success in the program,” she said.
Nick Howley, Chairman of The Howley Foundation and Executive Chairman and founder of Transdigm Group Inc., commented, “Supporting educational programs that directly address issues of equality and upward mobility is the central focus of The Howley Foundation. The ASPIRE program is a shining example. Cleveland Clinic’s partnership with Ursuline College will enable education for underrepresented students seeking to become tomorrow’s healthcare leaders, and we’re excited to see the program grow and thrive in the years to come.”
Ursuline’s Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions is ranked the # 2 nursing program in Ohio by Nurse.org. The program has a 100% employment rate, post licensure. A recent study by the American Enterprise Institute ranked Ursuline #1 nationally for its record of moving students from low-income into higher income groups.
This fall, Ursuline welcomed 11 ASPIRE students. Most are 2020 high school graduates. Some transferred from the associate’s degree program at Cuyahoga Community College.
The ASPIRE program is now accepting applications from high school juniors. At the direction of Cleveland Clinic, students are chosen to participate in the 12-week program based on their GPA, a short essay, recommendations and an interview. To apply online, visit clevelandclinic.org/ASPIRE. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2020.
About Cleveland Clinic — Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 67,554 employees worldwide are more than 4,520 salaried physicians and researchers, and 17,000 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,026-bed health system that includes a 165-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 18 hospitals, more than 220 outpatient facilities, and locations in southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2019, there were 9.8 million total outpatient visits, 309,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 255,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/CCforMedia and twitter.com/ClevelandClinic.
About The Howley Foundation — The Howley Foundation’s mission is to provide high quality, educational opportunities to economically disadvantaged students as an integral part of addressing issues of equality and promoting upward social and economic mobility. For nearly 20 years, the foundation has provided high quality educational opportunities to inner city students in Cleveland, Philadelphia, and other areas.
About Ursuline College – Founded in 1871, Ursuline College is an accredited liberal arts college rooted in Catholic traditions of intellectual inquiry and social justice. Ursuline educates students for service, leadership and professional excellence through an array of undergraduate, graduate and degree-completion programs in the liberal arts, nursing, and professional studies. At Ursuline, women-focused undergraduate programs and co-educational graduate and degree-completion programs foster lifelong learning. The College offers 11 sports competing at the NCAA Division II level. www.ursuline.edu
