RCSJ & INSPIRA BRING EXCELLENCE IN PATIENT CARE TO SOUTH JERSEY

The new, premier partnership is designed to educate and retain future healthcare professionals within the community.

This article first appeared in the West Deptford Patch on 4/25/2022

Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) and Inspira Health are bringing excellence in patient care to the South Jersey region thanks to a new alliance designed to educate and retain future healthcare professionals within the community.

On Friday, April 22, federal, state and local officials joined members of the education and healthcare communities to celebrate the creation of a partnership in education, employment and patient care. This latest EDs & MEDs collaboration provides priority clinical experience to support nursing, behavioral and allied health students at the College's Cumberland and Gloucester campuses, propelling local talent into healthcare careers.

Adding even more value to this already significant partnership is Inspira's generous $2 million gift to the College. The donation will support student scholarships for those pursuing healthcare occupations and fund future program development.

"Our premier partnership with Inspira Health aligns with the College's vision to prepare students for employment in areas of need and enhances the opportunity for clinical experience in the healthcare profession," stated Rowan College of South Jersey President Frederick Keating. "The College continues to expand and build robust partnerships within the education and medical communities. We thank Inspira for the generous financial and educational support provided to our students through scholarships, clinicals and job prospects."

"We are absolutely thrilled to enhance our partnership with Rowan College of South Jersey. Ultimately, this program will train the next generation of nursing and ancillary health professionals who will care for us, our loved ones, and our neighbors," said Inspira Health President /CEO Amy Mansue. "I am so grateful to Dr. Keating, the Rowan College and Inspira trustees, all the educators, and everyone — from both organizations — who worked so hard to make this possible."

RCSJ nursing and allied health students will study and train in two buildings displaying the Inspira name — the Inspira Health Nursing & Health Professions Center and the soon-to-be-completed Inspira Health Professions Center. In appreciation, RCSJ will provide all Inspira employees with a 50% discount on tuition and guarantee the best available price.

"Across Gloucester County we value partnerships. These partnerships continue to allow Gloucester County to be one of the fastest growing counties in the state. We are committed to growth and equal opportunity for all of our residents and students across southern New Jersey," said Director of the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners Frank J. DiMarco. "This specific partnership between Inspira and Rowan College of South Jersey is making education more accessible by allowing our local students to receive quality, affordable education right here at home.

Cumberland County Commissioner Director Darlene Barber agreed, "The dynamic partnership between RCSJ and Inspira provides an unprecedented opportunity for our residents to pursue their healthcare education and careers in one location at our Cumberland Campus."

Offering a selection of associate degrees, credit and non-credit certifications, more than 30 healthcare programs are available to RCSJ students and Inspira staff looking to advance or upskill their current roles. From Nursing to Nutrition, Physical Therapy to Radiography, Sonography to Peer Recovery, Phlebotomy to Mental Health, the College's relationship with Inspira serves to strengthen the knowledge and experience of RCSJ graduates entering the workforce.

"We are currently working together to create a first-in-the-region respiratory therapy program that will also include Rowan University," noted Mansue. This will be a model for future programs designed to meet the specific needs of our community."

"It's important to invest in EDs and MEDs because our future healthcare professionals are already right here in South Jersey, and it's time we keep our local talent here," said Steve Sweeney, former New Jersey Senate President, whose advocacy provided countless expansion projects for South Jersey's education and medical facilities. "Inspira's donation and partnership with Rowan College of South Jersey is not only going to provide jobs and help boost our local economy but will make a long-term investment into cutting-edge research and innovations that will be made right here in Gloucester and Cumberland Counties."