McLeod Health Partners in Nursing Education Programs
Contributions to Horry-Georgetown Technical College will help ensure nurses for the region.
Photo left to right: Neyle Wilson, HGTC Foundation President and CEO, Courtney Weaver, McLeod Health AVP of Workforce Development, Dr. Marilyn Murphy Fore, HGTC President, Sherrill Nielson, McLeod Health Seacoast Chief Nursing Officer, and Monica Vehige, CEO of McLeod Loris Seacoast.
As a partner in nursing education for the region, McLeod Health has made a $75,000 gift to Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) to support their nursing program.
Nursing represents the nation's largest health care profession and the largest single component of hospital staff. By the year 2030, South Carolina will be one of four states with a nursing shortage of more than 10,000 according to an analysis by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Additional nurses will be needed to care for the aging population, who typically have more medical problems than younger people.
“The need for healthcare services is increasing as the number of aging baby boomers continues to grow," stated Sherrill Nielson, Chief Nursing Officer for McLeod Health Seacoast. "As a result, more nurses are needed to educate and care for patients. This is why it is vitally important to McLeod that Horry-Georgetown Technical College continue to educate nurses."
According to Nielson, nurses serve an important role in the delivery of quality health care. “McLeod recognizes the value of the nurse’s contribution in patient care," said Nielson. "Providing patient advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, participation in shaping health policies and patient education are also key nursing roles. It is a tough job but with competent nurses as part of the medical team, McLeod is capable of carrying out its mission of providing quality health care for patients in the region.”
Because nurses are essential to health care and the region’s economy, this area is very fortunate to have a quality nursing education program at Horry-Georgetown Technical College.
“We are so grateful for our continued partnership with HGTC,” said Courtney Weaver, Associate Vice President of Workforce Development for McLeod Health. “The relationship with HGTC and nursing education is imperative as McLeod Health and Horry County continue to grow. HGTC produces well educated, quality students that we hope will be part of the future of nursing at McLeod to serve our local communities.”
HGTC offers an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing (ADN) degree and a Practical Nursing (PN) diploma for students.
“HGTC is so pleased to partner with McLeod Health to strengthen instructional opportunities for the nursing program,” said Dr. Marilyn Murphy Fore, HGTC President. “HGTC is developing a generation of well-trained and highly skilled nursing professionals prepared to meet the challenges of modern health care demands. We are fortunate to receive this generous gift and have the support of community partners like McLeod to provide the best and latest equipment for training our nursing students, so they are ready to respond to the everchanging healthcare needs.”