Northern Arizona University has received a grant from Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity to confront the critical nursing shortage in rural, underserved areas of Arizona by supporting Native American nursing students in their academic journeys.
The Fund for Health Equity mobilizes financial resources for organizations focused on non-clinical interventions that affect a person’s health. Commonly known as the social determinants of health, these factors include an individual’s physical, social, political, cultural and economic environment.
“This latest round of more than $8 million in grants, made possible by generous support from MacKenzie Scott, the AbbVie Foundation and Eli Lilly and Company, is the most recent infusion of funding for organizations deeply committed in eliminating health disparities and improving healthcare quality in their communities,” said Dr. Byron Scott, Direct Relief CEO and co-chair of the Fund for Health Equity. “Direct Relief is proud to support and grateful for the work they do every day.”
NAU received $150,000 from the Fund for Health Equity for the College of Nursing’s American Indian Program (AIP). AIP is dedicated to bridging significant gaps in the Native American nursing workforce by enhancing recruitment, retention and graduation rates, and preparing Native American graduate nurses who can return to their communities as practice-ready healthcare providers. The aim of this program proposal focuses on three components: pre-program support, academic and non-academic support and creating a culturally responsive environment.
“This grant will transform our American Indian Program pathway,” said Janina Johnson, dean of the NAU College of Nursing. “Broadly, there is a shortage of nurses across the United States. That shortage is more profound in rural and underserved areas, and even greater still in Indigenous communities. This grant will significantly enhance our support and retention efforts for Native American nursing students, who are more likely to return to their communities and serve Indigenous populations. We are grateful for this generous gift and eager to put these resources into action.”
The awardees were selected by the Fund for Health Equity’s Advisory Council, which includes:
- Co-chair Regina Benjamin, 18th U.S. Surgeon General and founder of Bayou Clinic, Inc.
- Co-chair Byron Scott, Direct Relief CEO
- Martha Dawson, president and CEO of the National Black Nurses Association, associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Jane Delgado, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health
- Gail Small, head chief woman, a citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe
“We are pleased to support NAU and other grassroots organizations dedicated to advancing health equity and addressing disparities in underserved communities across the United States,” Scott said. “These organizations are invaluable partners in creating lasting change because they are deeply rooted in the communities they serve, possess firsthand understanding of their needs, and are uniquely positioned to deliver impactful solutions.”