BBCC thanks Samaritan Healthcare for nursing support

Samaritan Healthcare was recognized as Big Bend Community College’s Partner of the Year on Oct. 30 for its longtime support of the college’s nursing program.

BBCC Trustees noted during the last 12 years, Samaritan Healthcare has donated/pledged $760,000 in support of BBCC’s nursing program.

BBCC was on the verge of reducing the capacity of its registered nursing program in 2011 due to ongoing budget cuts when Samaritan Healthcare and Moses Lake Clinic (now Confluence Healthcare) pledged $30,000 each for two years ($120,000 total) to help pay one nursing faculty position.

The commitment meant BBCC did not have to reduce capacity of its registered nursing program from 24 students to 18 students annually.

Samaritan already had financially supported the nursing program for a decade with funds for a shared nursing educator, faculty salaries, nursing scholarships, and biomedical equipment support.

“Samaritan Healthcare’s support has affected access to health care in all of the communities in the college’s service district,” said BBCC President Terry Leas. “Our health care partners say they do not have a local shortage of nurses due to BBCC’s program.”

The BBCC Foundation commissioned a bronze for permanent recognition for Samaritan Healthcare in the ATEC building. It is the foundation’s policy to commission a bronze recognizing donations to the college or foundation that exceed $100,000.

LeAnne Parton, BBCC Foundation Executive Director; Thomas Thompson, Samaritan Healthcare CEO; and Jon Lane, Chair of the BBCC Board of Trustees.