{"id":73900,"date":"2025-02-04T05:40:26","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T12:40:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/?p=73900"},"modified":"2025-02-03T11:40:42","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T18:40:42","slug":"direct-relief-grant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/direct-relief-grant\/","title":{"rendered":"Northern Arizona University receives $150,000 grant award from Direct Relief\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Northern Arizona University has received a grant from <\/span>Direct Relief\u2019s Fund for Health Equity<\/span><\/a> to confront the critical nursing shortage in rural, underserved areas of Arizona by supporting Native American nursing students in their academic journeys.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Fund for Health Equity mobilizes financial resources for organizations focused on non-clinical interventions that affect a person’s health. Commonly known as the social determinants of health, these factors include an individual\u2019s physical, social, political, cultural and economic environment. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis latest round of more than $8 million in grants, made possible by generous support from MacKenzie Scott, the AbbVie Foundation and Eli Lilly and Company, is the most recent infusion of funding for organizations deeply committed in eliminating health disparities and improving healthcare quality in their communities,\u201d said Dr. Byron Scott, Direct Relief CEO and co-chair of the Fund for Health Equity. \u201cDirect Relief is proud to support and grateful for the work they do every day.\u201d\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

NAU received $150,000 from the Fund for Health Equity for the College of Nursing\u2019s <\/span>American Indian Program<\/span><\/a> (AIP). AIP is dedicated to bridging significant gaps in the Native American nursing workforce by enhancing recruitment, retention and graduation rates, and preparing Native American graduate nurses who can return to their communities as practice-ready healthcare providers. The aim of this program proposal focuses on three components: pre-program support, academic and non-academic support and creating a culturally responsive environment.\u202f\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis grant will transform our American Indian Program pathway,” said Janina Johnson<\/strong>, dean of the NAU College of Nursing. “Broadly, there is a shortage of nurses across the United States. That shortage is more profound in rural and underserved areas, and even greater still in Indigenous communities. This grant will significantly enhance our support and retention efforts for Native American nursing students, who are more likely to return to their communities and serve Indigenous populations. We are grateful for this generous gift and eager to put these resources into action.\u201d\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The awardees were selected by the Fund for Health Equity\u2019s Advisory Council, which includes:\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n