Nursing celebrates 50 years while looking ahead at community event

At more than 50 years old, the Kirkhof College of Nursing looked ahead to its future during a community event November 12 at the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health.

The event introduced Dean Linda Lewandowski to the community, shined a light on nursing student and faculty research with posters presentations lining the first floor hallways, and put the state-of-the-art Interprofessional Simulation Center in the spotlight with tours.

Lewandowski, who started working at Grand Valley in July, said the warmth and camaraderie she felt during the interview process has since continued as she has met practice partners and community college leaders throughout the state.

"There is a lot of positive momentum here in the college and in the community and I am excited to continue to learn more," she said.

She told the audience to expect more partnerships that will grow the nursing talent pool in West Michigan. The Corewell Health West Nurse Scholars program, established in 2022, will grow the cohorts of nursing students from 96 to 120 beginning in January, Lewandowski said. Corewell Health pledged to invest more than $19 million over six years into the program that will create opportunities for 500 students to pursue a nursing degree at GVSU.

"These are great opportunities for our students and I have been excited with the conversations I have had with other health care systems regarding similar or new programs that would provide mutual benefit and options for our students," she said.

President Philomena V. Mantella said she will tell the story about the Corewell Health West Nurse Scholars program when she travels to Washington, D.C., November 13 to participate in a Classroom to Career summit.

"I was invited there to share the story of our Corewell Scholars partnership and its unique combination of investment that sets it apart," Mantella said. "It’s the forward-thinking that is ingrained in every aspect of KCON that national leaders want to hear about and I’m honored to have the chance to share that story."

Jennifer Drake, acting provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, acknowledged KCON's 50th anniversary and said it was the commitment of the college's faculty and staff that has made it a respected pillar of excellence in nursing education and health care leadership.

"Through exceptional teaching and hands-on experiences, KCON instills this sense of purpose in our students, preparing them to meet the needs of patients and their communities," Drake said.