OCTOBER 1, 2002 --Director Noelle Clark announced today that the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS) is presenting a $4,400 check to Mott Community College Division of Health Services to provide scholarships for students in the registered nurse program.

The scholarship recipients from Mott Community College are:

• Deanna L. Earegood, Flint
• Daneen Eller, Flint
• Troy Jackson, Burton
• James Berney, Flushing

The university is receiving the $4,400 nursing scholarship grant as part of a program initiated in 2000 by CIS to address a national shortage in the nursing profession. The Michigan Board of Nursing, a CIS board of health professionals and public members appointed by Governor John Engler, proposed a scholarship fund after it determined a need for nursing professionals based on state and national health data.

Clark said the state program disbursed $225,000 in its first year to Michigan colleges and universities to train 45 advanced practice nurses to work in medically underserved communities. The program is expected to provide more than $202,000 scholarships this fiscal year for students pursuing an associates or bachelor degree to become a registered nurse.

“The response to the program by the eligible Michigan colleges and universities has been very enthusiastic. Health care statistics indicate a need for nursing professionals across the nation, and Michigan is certainly no exception,” Clark said. “Our goal is to have the scholarship recipients working in different counties in Michigan to provide better coverage in areas where their vital services are needed the most.”

CIS invited 46 Michigan schools with accredited nursing programs to apply for participation in the scholarship program. The scholarships will provide a one-time grant to students for tuition, books and fees.

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.