Georgia Southern University and St. Joseph’s/Candler Build Funding Partnership to Address Regional Need for Skilled Nurses

Staff Report From Savannah CEO

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2018

Georgia Southern University and St. Joseph’s/Candler are working together to develop healthcare leaders and ensure those in our region have access to quality medical care.
 
The University’s new Waters College of Health Professions building project on the Armstrong Campus will include the St. Joseph’s/Candler Nursing Suite thanks to a new funding partnership between the Armstrong Foundation of Georgia Southern University, Inc. and St. Joseph’s/Candler. The health system will donate $250,000 to the project.

“It is vitally important for St. Joseph’s/Candler to invest in the future of nursing in our region and we are proud to support Georgia Southern University in this endeavor,” said Paul P. Hinchey, President & CEO of St. Joseph’s/Candler. “The Nursing Suite will provide classrooms as well as clinical and research facilities for faculty and students. This will not only help provide quality nurses for our patients but it allows students in our region to have access to a state-of-the-art nursing education and career.”

The Waters College of Health Professions is the largest undergraduate health college in the state of Georgia. The St. Joseph’s/Candler Nursing Suite is an 8,193-square-foot area within the Waters College of Health Professions building where state-of-the-art facilities and advanced technologies prepare students to meet patient needs in a changing healthcare delivery environment.

“There are more healthcare job openings than in any other field in Georgia, and the need for nurses continues to grow,” said Georgia Southern President Shelley Nickel. “We have an unprecedented opportunity through this partnership with St. Joseph’s/Candler to teach essential skills through innovative hands-on learning experiences.”

Georgia Southern University is transforming outstanding students into highly competent and compassionate healthcare providers and now issues nearly one-fifth of undergraduate healthcare degrees in the state of Georgia. Almost $30 million in funding has been invested in the University’s healthcare professions facilities.