USC, Clemson receive $25,000 to support health care programs

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The S.C. Hospital Association has awarded the University of South Carolina and Clemson University $25,000 each to support the development of health care programs at the schools.

USC will use the gift to its Department of Health Services Policy and Management in the Arnold School of Public Health to support students in its master’s of health administration program, while Clemson will use the money to create interprofessional clinical learning opportunities in its School of Nursing’s partnership with Greenville Health System, according to a news release.

Additional funding may be provided after two years based on an annual review.

“The SCHA scholarship will help the MHA program as it prepares students for positions to advance the provision of effective, efficient and equitable health services in South Carolina,” said Bankole Olatosi, director of USC’s master’s of health administration program. “Our students will benefit from the increased access to professional education available through conferences, meetings and training to complement their education. Such opportunities will also be used as a marketing tool for recruiting more talented future health administrators to South Carolina.”

The scholarship program is funded by SCHA Solutions, a division of the hospital association that works with companies to provide services to state hospitals and health systems. Companies earn program endorsement by negotiating the best price for services and revenue sharing that support SCHA priorities, including workforce development.

“We're grateful for the South Carolina Hospital Association's support of our efforts to ensure that our graduates are well-prepared,” said Kathleen Valentine, Clemson School of Nursing director. “Through these funds, students will have increased access to experts in the fields of interprofessional teamwork, continuum of care, population health and community health. We want to make students aware of career opportunities within hospitals and in communities that extend the rich contributions nurses offer to patients and families and enable nurses to thrive within their professional role.”

Founded in 1921, Columbia-based SCHA advocates for the more than 70,000 workers employed in the state’s hospitals and health care systems.

“SCHA recently completed on-site meetings with leaders of every hospital in the state to learn more about their issues and challenges. Topping the list was recruiting and retaining a quality workforce,” said Lara Hewitt, SCHA Solutions vice president for workforce and partner engagement. “That makes it our priority, and we're pleased to be able to award these grants to help prepare the next generation of health care staff.”