Select Medical and University of Kentucky Celebrate First Graduates from Nursing Degree Scholarship Program

MECHANICSBURG, Pa., Jan. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Select Medical today announced the first two nursing school graduates resulting from its educational scholarship partnership program with the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Nursing.  Formed in 2015, the program enables eligible Select Medical registered nurses (RNs) to apply for and receive scholarships to pursue advanced nursing degrees from one of the nation's top ranked universities for the nursing discipline.  

Experienced RNs Erin Tipton of Specialty Hospital – Milwaukee West Allis, Wisconsin and Jose Gallardo of Select Specialty Hospital – Phoenix, Arizona were the first to graduate from the new program, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in August 2017. 

"We are incredibly proud of Erin and Jose for their achievement and seeing each put their advanced training immediately in practice to treat long-term acute care patients in our hospitals was highly rewarding and further validated the mission of the partnership with the University of Kentucky," said Gloria Skinner, RN, MSN, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Select Medical.  "Together, Select Medical and UK are addressing the nation's critical need for highly skilled specialized nurses.  The program speaks volumes for how Select Medical values and invests in its employees and why UK is the preeminent institution for cultivating top notch nursing talent."  

Nurses selected to receive scholarships are given five years to complete their online course and clinical work.  However, Tipton and Gallardo each earned their degree within two years.

"We are a forward-thinking university and recognize that a large portion of our student population hold full-time jobs while also pursuing an education," said Janie Heath, Dean and Warwick Professor of Nursing at the University of Kentucky.  "We're always seeking ways to meet the talent demands of the health care industry in innovative ways that benefit our students and the nation at large.  Partnering with a post-acute care leader such as Select Medical to offer an advanced online degree program is a great example of our commitment to excellence in nursing education, research, practice and service."

About The University of Kentucky Nursing College

Ranked among the top nursing programs nationwide, the National Institute for Research database lists UK No. 15 among all public and private nursing schools and No. 9 among all public schools. With a current research portfolio of over $19 million in funded programs, it touts a talented faculty and staff focused on advancing nursing science, education and practice through interdisciplinary research teams. With a current enrollment of 1,439 students (519 pre-nursing, 647 undergraduate and 273 graduate), UK students benefit from the expertise of approximately 180 full-time and part-time faculty and staff. Its BSN Program has an outstanding history of achieving 97 to 100 percent pass rates for first-time NCLEX (board exam) takers, as well as preparing graduates to be nurse leaders, advanced practitioners and researchers. Information about The University of Kentucky Nursing College is available at http://www.uky.edu/nursing .

About Select Medical Holdings Corporation

Select Medical began operations in 1997 and has grown to be one of the largest operators of specialty hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation clinics and occupational health centers in the United States based on the number of facilities.  As of December 31, 2017, Select Medical operated 100 long-term acute care hospitals and 24 acute medical rehabilitation hospitals in 28 states and 1,616 outpatient rehabilitation clinics in 37 states and the District of Columbia. Select Medical's joint venture subsidiary Concentra operated 312 occupational health centers in 38 states. Concentra also provides contract services at employer worksites and Department of Veterans Affairs' community-based outpatient clinics.  At December 31, 2017, Select Medical had operations in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Information about Select Medical is available at www.selectmedical.com.

SOURCE Select Medical

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