Rush-Copley Foundation and Community Partners Awarded $750,000 Grant
for Nursing Scholarship Program

(August 31, 2009) -  Rush-Copley Foundation, along with several community healthcare and education partners, has been awarded a $750,000 grant from The Dunham Fund to implement a nursing scholarship program.

The Dunham Nursing Scholarship-Advancing Nursing in Aurora seeks to build a high performing, diverse workforce of nurses in the community.  Over the next two years, the scholarships will support the education of 121 nursing students.

The grant represents an innovative project effort of community partners that include: Alden of Waterford, Aurora University, Dreyer Medical Clinic, Kane County Health Department, Provena Mercy Medical Center, Rush-Copley Foundation, Rush-Copley Medical Center, VNA of Fox Valley and Waubonsee Community College. 

"We are honored to receive this generous grant from The Dunham Fund," said Barbara Graham, executive director, Rush-Copley Foundation.  "This scholarship program will expand healthcare education at all levels for exceptionally promising nurses and will offer local opportunities for nursing scholars to practice in diverse community settings as professional care providers for many years."

The Dunham Nursing Scholarship Fund is a merit-based program designed to attract the best and brightest to Aurora's nursing workforce.

To be eligible an applicant must be:
o A resident of Aurora as defined in the Dunham Fund for at least one year prior to application, and be a citizen or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States; or
o Employed at an Aurora area employer as defined by the Dunham Fund for a period of one year prior to the scholarship application in a full-time or part-time position.
o In addition, an applicant should be enrolled in, accepted, or eligible for admission to either the nursing program at Aurora University or Waubonsee Community College.

Dunham Nursing Scholars will also be expected to participate in a designated community service project that addresses an unmet health need most significant to the Aurora-area community.

"We are happy to award Rush-Copley Foundation and the collaborative group of community partners with this grant," said Ryan J. Maley, chair of the Dunham Fund Board of Advisors.  "We believe supporting nurses who want to continue their education will provide a direct benefit to our community: healthier people."

The Dunham Fund honors the legacy of John C. Dunham and supports organizations that work to make the world a safer and more comfortable place for mankind to live and prosper, giving special consideration to Aurora-area organization engaged in providing education and to organizations engaged in assisting individuals to attain heights they may not have attained without the benefit of assistance.

The Dunham Nursing Scholarship Program is expected begin in January 2010 and applications will be available on all community partner Web sites beginning on October 1, 2009.  For more information, visit rushcopley.com/dunhamfund.