Partnerships bring $32K in scholarships to St. Johns River State College

HCA Florida Putnam Hospital continues its investment in the future of healthcare with its partnership with St. Johns River State College and a $16,000 contribution toward scholarships. Together with Florida Blue’s matching funds, $32K will play a vital role in addressing local workforce needs and strengthening the community’s healthcare system. Students who received scholarships from the foundation signed their award letters at a special ceremony at HCA Florida Putnam Hospital earlier this week.

According to SJR State’s Foundation Director JoLynn Carter, the generous contribution reaffirms HCA Florida Putnam Hospital’s commitment to investing in the future of healthcare by ensuring local students and hospital employees have access to high-quality education.

“We are incredibly grateful for HCA Florida Putnam Hospital’s unwavering support and generosity,” said Carter. “Their continued investment, along with Florida Blue’s matching funds, has made a profound impact on our students and the local healthcare community. Together, HCA Florida Putnam Hospital and Florida Blue have contributed over $200,000 in scholarships.”

HCA Florida Putnam Hospital’s CEO Landon Smith said it is vital to continue to invest in the future of healthcare and in our future workforce. “We are proud to have a strong relationship with St. Johns River State College, and our team is honored to have a positive impact through these scholarships on students who are dedicating their careers to caring for others,” Smith said.

In 2003, Florida Blue contributed $2.5 million to the Florida College Foundation to establish a statewide endowed nursing and allied health scholarship program. With matching funds from the State Legislature, a $5 million endowment was created to provide a sustained source of funding for student scholarships in nursing and other allied health programs at Florida’s colleges.

Members of the community and HCA Florida Healthcare employees are eligible to receive this financial assistance for tuition, books and fees.

SJR State’s nursing programs include the ASN; Nursing: LPN Bridge to ASN; Practical Nursing; Nursing Assistant; and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The allied health programs include Sonography; Emergency Medical Services; Emergency Medical Technician; Health Information Technology; Paramedic; Radiologic Technology; Respiratory Care; and Medical Assisting. 

For more information regarding the partnership with St. Johns River State College