Half of a Million Dollars Granted to Iroquois Healthcare Association to Award Healthcare Scholarships
The Iroquois Healthcare Association has distributed scholarship awards for the third year in-a-row to essential health care workers to continue their education.
(Clifton Park, NY) – The Iroquois Healthcare Association (IHA) has been granted $500,000 by the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation (MCHF) to support the third year of a scholarship fund. The fund aims to provide staffing relief to healthcare providers experiencing severe workforce shortages. The program is currently helping 28 hospitals in Upstate New York, invest in their employees and secure their futures.
In this third year of funding, the scholarship fund will support low-income and/or diverse hospital workers looking to earn a degree or certification in one of the following areas: RN, Medical Assistant, Respiratory Therapist, Medical Tech, and Surgical Tech.
Staffing shortages lead to staff burnout and can limit access to care, which can threaten the ability for hospitals to provide full services. IHA facilitated this program to give member hospitals the opportunity to express their gratitude to their employees and encourage healthcare workers to remain in the field and continue providing care in Upstate New York providers.
In the past two years, 220 healthcare workers have received funding in amounts ranging from $1,500 to close to $9,000 to help them complete their education. To date, $513,000 has been awarded. With the addition of the 2024 funding, IHA will have been able to distribute over $1 million in scholarships to healthcare workers across upstate New York. This would not have been possible without the generosity of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.
Many of the award recipients have expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
One recipient said, “This scholarship allowed me to enroll in the nursing program. Without the support, I would be struggling to get by. The Iroquois Healthcare Association Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Scholarship has allowed me to get even closer to achieving my goals.”
Another recipient said, “To be a nurse, it is essential to have compassion, empathy, and enjoy providing and helping others. This scholarship helped me take off significant financial burdens that going back to school brings.”
A third recipient said, “Receiving this scholarship is more than just financial assistance – it is affirmation of my journey and the resilience I have developed along the way. This scholarship will allow me to contribute more to my hospital and help my community.”
Lastly, a recipient said, “This scholarship has jump-started my academic career. I can provide for my family as my husband recently took a pay cut and childcare costs have been crippling. There is a lot of responsibility on me, and that is why I want to go back to school.”
About the Iroquois Healthcare Association: IHA is a regional healthcare trade organization representing over 50 hospitals and health systems, spanning over 28,000 square miles, across 32 counties of Upstate New York. IHA is the leading resource for facilities and professionals bringing quality health care to the region. IHA represents the unique needs of rural, small community safety-net providers to large, academic medical centers in Upstate New York’s urban areas through advocacy, education and information, cost-savings initiatives and innovative business solutions.
About the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation: The MCHF is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State that provide either direct healthcare services or address the social determinants of health.