SSM Health has donated $10,000 to support the Moraine Park Technical College Foundation’s nursing, nursing assistant and medical assistant scholarships, which support students seeking to become registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, medical assistants, or home health aides.
While health care careers are among the fastest growing in the region, health care employers are struggling nationwide to fill nursing positions. In 2024, it was reported that Wisconsin faced a critical nursing shortage, expected to continue through 2040, with a need to add an additional 10,000 RNs to the workforce. It is also predicted that 9,900 new RNs, CNAs, and home health aides will be needed by 2030 to maintain the current level of care.
Moraine Park offers a wide range of high-quality, affordable programs designed to support individuals pursuing a rewarding career in health care, all close to home. The College’s Nursing Assistant program includes more than 78 hours of online theory, hands-on lab work, and clinical experience, equipping students with the essential skills needed to begin a career in patient care. Moraine Park’s Nursing program is highly regarded and serves as a leading choice for nursing education in the region. Each year, the College introduces nearly 200 nurses into the district communities, with graduates consistently achieving above-average pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) year after year.
“We are grateful to SSM Health for their support of our nursing, nursing assistant, and medical assistant scholarships,” according to Alicia Mattingly, Moraine Park Foundation development officer. “Nursing assistants are often the first point of contact for patients, acting as the eyes and ears for nurses and physicians to help identify patient needs or concerns. They address the specific health needs of individuals, families, and groups across their lifespans, with special attention to diverse and at-risk populations. Mental health concepts cover adaptive and maladaptive behaviors, as well as specific mental health disorders.”
Contributing to Moraine Park scholarships is one way that SSM Health can meet a growing demand for nursing professionals.
“These clinicians play a vital role on our care delivery team working closely with patients to ensure their physical and emotional needs are met,” according to Jodi Dietzel, SSM Health Fond du Lac Market administrator. “SSM Health deeply appreciates the value that nursing and medical assistant team members bring to the care we provide and is pleased to partner with the Moraine Park Foundation to provide financial support through scholarships for those who have chosen this noble career path.”
For more information about Moraine Park Foundation scholarships, visit morainepark.edu/scholarships.
In 2024, SSM Health’s local community benefit ministry totaled more than $568,000 across the communities it serves. This investment helps ensure access to health care for patients who are uninsured or underinsured, train the next generation of health professionals to care for those in need, and fund programs to address the most pressing health needs of our communities.
Alicia Mattingly (right), Moraine Park Foundation development officer, receives a $10,000 donation to support nursing, nursing assistant, and medical assistant scholarships from Shane Smith, SSM Health Fond du Lac Market president; Jodi Dietzel, SSM Health Fond du Lac Market administrator; and Laura Nakielski, SSM Health senior community health specialist.