Nursing department receives frontline grant

Highmark Blue Shield is proudly showing its support for the future generations of frontline professionals through a Frontline Worker Grant to support current nursing students at Messiah University.

The $5,000 grant to the Department of Nursing will help assist the department-sponsored wellness centers through technological upgrades such as new computer devices, a Wi-Fi-accessible printer and copier, and basic first-aid supplies. The wellness centers are community health centers located in HUD-subsidized housing sites, offering care for vulnerable populations and education experiences as clinical sites for students. Emphasizing health promotion, disease/injury prevention, risk reduction and chronic illness monitoring, the centers also prioritize social determinants of health as part of its educational offerings.

With the new devices, Messiah students and staff will help residents apply for rent rebates. Housing stability is just one of many social determinants of health that can impact up to 80% of a person’s health outcomes.  

“We are so blessed to receive this generous grant from Highmark that will enable us to upgrade the technology and purchase some basic first aid supplies to use in the Wellness Centers. Within these centers, which are located in HUD-subsidized housing sites, nursing students provide care and deliver health education to the residents as part of their nursing clinical education,” said Kimberly Fenstermacher, assistant dean of nursing.

— Staff report