As the fall 2024 semester begins at Radford University, the Carilion Clinic Foundation has invested in the education of 52 Highlanders studying to become healthcare professionals.
The healthcare organization committed $100,000 in scholarship support earmarked specifically
for students in the nursing, respiratory therapy and emergency services programs, as well as other majors that meet the pre-health requirements to enter
a graduate program in occupational therapy or physical therapy with plans to enter one of those programs upon graduation.
Additionally, recipients were required to be full-time students and enrolled at the
Radford University Carilion (RUC) location in downtown Roanoke, with a preference
for students from areas within Carilion Clinic’s geographic footprint. That footprint
stretches from far Southwest Virginia to the Shenandoah Valley, covering much of the
state.
The average award for each student was approximately $1,962.
“Students are our future workforce, and we want to support and encourage them as they
pursue their careers in healthcare,” said Nancy Howell Agee, Carilion Clinic’s chief
executive officer.
The goal of the support is to increase and retain healthcare students in the Roanoke
area, which is evident in the fall student population numbers at RUC. This fall, 1,018
students are enrolled at RUC.
RUC, where most of Radford University’s healthcare-focused programs are based, was
formed as a partnership between Radford University and Carilion Clinic in 2019, when
Carilion’s Jefferson College of Health Sciences merged into the Radford University
family of colleges and departments. Since its inception, RUC has graduated hundreds
of professionals, many of whom treat patients within Carilion Clinic.
“We are deeply appreciative of our partnership with Carilion Clinic, and these important
gifts will enhance the experience of Radford University’s health sciences and nursing
students,” said Bret Danilowicz, president of Radford University. “Throughout her
time as Carilion’s CEO, Nancy has demonstrated a keen understanding of how to help
make healthcare education more accessible and affordable. Carilion Clinic clearly
values how Radford prepares students for the healthcare workforce, and in turn, we
will continue to strengthen our communities by providing Southwest Virginia with skilled
graduates.”
