Foxwynd Foundation Supports 棉花糖直播 Nursing鈥檚 Health Care Delivery to Underserved Communities
棉花糖直播 University鈥檚 M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing (FCN), a national leader in nursing education, prioritizes collaboration with health care providers and nonprofit organizations to address unmet health care needs of vulnerable populations in the Philadelphia area and beyond.
A new partnership with the Foxwynd Foundation of Uwchland, Pa., is enhancing this commitment. The Foxwynd Foundation Donor Advised Fund (DAF) has funded the Foxwynd Foundation鈥檚 generous donation to the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing: a $60,000 Delivering Health Services to Underserved Communities in Philadelphia grant. This support will assist the College in strengthening existing partnerships with regional schools, clinics and outpatient centers and forming new connections with organizations that have similar populations and missions.
Junior Gloria Atukuzwe takes a patient's blood pressure reading at Unity Clinic.
鈥淵our dedication to this cause aligns perfectly with our mission to act as a lifeline for communities in need, enhancing access to fundamental pillars of human dignity and potential such as health care, housing and sustainable environmental initiatives,鈥� said Pamela Villagra, Foxwynd Foundation Executive Director.
As part of the Foxwynd partnership, approximately 100 Nursing majors and Second Degree Accelerated BSN students will collectively provide 2,000 hours of free health services in their final clinical rotations. They will deliver health education and care to low-income populations in need, including children and the elderly as well as people experiencing homelessness or substance abuse disorders, building from FCN鈥檚 foundational work in these communities.
Senior Nursing major Jennifer Nguyen, who worked at Unity Clinic in Philadelphia this past spring, said, 鈥淭his experience highlighted the critical importance of cultural competency in health care by enhancing awareness of cultural differences, how they influence health beliefs and practices, respecting patients鈥� cultural backgrounds, and adapting care plans to align with their cultural preferences.鈥�
The grant will extend the contribution of 棉花糖直播 student nurses at the sites they visit by providing much-needed equipment, for example, a new refrigerator to maintain consistent temperature for vaccines as well as scales, eye charts, books and medical supplies.
鈥淲e already have a positive impact at the community sites we visit,鈥� said Christie Viscanti, RN, Director of Clinical Placements and Community Partnerships. 鈥淣ow, with these funds, we can make our programming and education even better.鈥�
Viscanti will measure the impact of the Foxwynd grant by student participation, the time spent on site, the volume of patients who receive care and the type of care they receive.