WakeMed has been helping Wake Technical Community College provide high-quality training for the region’s nurses and health professionals for more than 50 years. Now, that commitment was recognized with a national philanthropy award. The Council for Resource Development (CRD), based in Washington D.C. bestowed the Community College Benefactors Award on WakeMed.
WakeMed’s long-standing partnership with Wake Tech strengthened in recent years, as a result of a critical nursing shortage in the area. Under Dr. Atkinson’s leadership, WakeMed began to allow staff nurses to teach at Wake Tech while remaining on the hospital’s payroll. The arrangement gives students access to the very latest techniques and technologies – and to the expertise of successful professionals working in the field – while helping the college turn out more qualified nurses to meet community demand. WakeMed also established an emergency fund to help promising nursing students overcome financial obstacles and succeed. In all, WakeMed’s cash and in-kind contributions to the program and its students total more than $1.7 million.
Dr. Atkinson’s believes that as the largest private employer and the primary provider of health care in Wake County, it is both WakeMed’s honor and responsibility to support our educational system. As such, WakeMed has formed strong partnerships with Wake County Public Schools and Wake Tech and frequently collaborate to provide opportunities that enrich students’ experiences and help them on the path to becoming productive, contributing members of our community.
Additionally, WakeMed has a vested interest in ensuring our educational system has the tools and resources it needs, because whether students choose a career in health care, culinary arts, or information technology there is a place for them at WakeMed.
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