NASHUA, NH - Southern New Hampshire Medical Center has made a contribution of $25,000 to Rivier College to support the nursing program. Southern New Hampshire Medical Center president and CEO Tom Wilhelmsen and board chair Bonnie Hartley, a Rivier College alumna, presented the check to Dr. William Farrell, Rivier president and Paula Williams, divisional chair of nursing at a reception on Tuesday, May 9.
As part of National Nurses Week, Southern New Hampshire Medical Center is expressing its appreciation for nurses and their role in community health. "Rivier College provides such wonderful nurses," Wilhelmsen says. "Without them, our healthcare delivery system would not be what it is."
The gift will support the continued development of Rivier's nursing program and strengthen the partnership between the College and SNHMC in delivering care to the Nashua community. Dr. Farrell says, "We appreciate the support for our nursing program. Our students and graduates are important to health in the state." In 2005, one-third of the students graduating from associate degree nursing programs in New Hampshire were from Rivier.
Rivier's nursing program is the only one in the state offering programs accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission at three levels: associate, bachelor's and master's. Students from a variety of nursing programs participate in clinical rotations at SNHMC each year; 144 Rivier students were there during the 2005-2006 academic year. Many graduates go on to join the nursing staff at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center.