Family Nurse Practitioner Program Receives Funding for Student Scholarships

October 29, 2020 – The Family Nurse Practitioner Program at the School of Nursing & Health Studies has received $4,000 through the CVS Health Foundation FNP/PA Scholarship Program to support students.

“With more Americans living longer and fewer primary care physicians, the demand for highly skilled nurse practitioners and physician assistants is only expected to increase,” the foundation says. “We’re proud to support the most promising family nurse practitioners and physician assistants of tomorrow by providing scholarships through the CVS Health Foundation . . . .”

Dr. Jill Ogg-Gress, assistant professor and clinical education director, said the program is “grateful for the opportunity” to help support students’ incidental expenses and expressed appreciation for “CVS’ ongoing community partnership with clinical placement.”

The Family Nurse Practitioner Program is the largest graduate specialty in nursing at Georgetown, operating across the country through a distance-based model. 

Dr. Mary Haras, chair of the Department of Advanced Practice Nursing, shared Ogg-Gress’ sense of gratitude.

“It is an honor to receive the CVS Health Foundation FNP/PA Scholarship, which reflects the shared goal of preparing diverse, excellent clinicians dedicated to working with underserved populations across the nation,” she said. “Georgetown APRN students represent the communities in which they live, and many are bilingual, providing a much-needed skill to primary care settings today.”

Haras added that she, Ogg-Gress, and Dr. Pamela Biernacki, interim director of the FNP Program, will institute a process for awarding the scholarships.

“For the students,” Haras said, “this is a wonderful opportunity to help defray some of the costs associated with being a graduate student.”

The program, likely in early January, will share information with students about the application process, Biernacki said. The deadline to apply will be February 8, 2021.