President Robbyn wacker clapping her hands at the podium
St. Cloud State University announced on Sept. 11 in the newly renovated Eastman Hall that it had received a $1.5 million commitment from CentraCare to help establish a Graduate Nursing Education program and the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research (CHOPR) at the University.
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St. Cloud State President Robbyn Wacker and CentraCare President and Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Holmen made the announcement inside the renovated Eastman Hall, along with other members from both the University and the health care provider. Eastman Hall is home to the new Center for Health and Wellness Innovation.
“St. Cloud State University is excited and honored to partner with CentraCare and is grateful for its support,” Wacker said. “This partnership will benefit St. Cloud State, CentraCare and all of Central Minnesota as it provides support to more effectively meet the health care needs of Central Minnesotans and conduct research to support evidence-based health care delivery.”
“CentraCare is proud to support St. Cloud State University and assist in establishing its Graduate Nursing Education program and the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research,” Holmen said. “CentraCare’s support aligns with our strategic vision to continue to serve the health needs of our communities. We look forward to partnering with St. Cloud State and helping establish a workforce that will benefit many throughout Central Minnesota.”
Graduate Nursing Education Program
Nursing student Rachel Redders practices nursing skills on a school mannequin.
The Department of Nursing Science is committed to advancing the preparation of registered nurses across the region. The Graduate Nursing program will increase access to high-quality healthcare, leading to optimal patient outcomes for patient populations in rural and underserved communities throughout the Central Minnesota community. “Graduates would be prepared for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure and national certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner”, said Jane Bagley, Department Chair and Chief Nurse Administrator.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for the nursing program here at St. Cloud State University to develop a high-quality program directly tailored to the healthcare needs and workforce demands of the region,” said Shonda Craft, Dean of the School of Health & Human Services. “We have high-caliber faculty who are ready to develop an innovative curriculum that will place our students on the cutting edge of advanced practice nursing. Deepening our relationship with CentraCare in this way will serve as a model of how to engage in community-responsive partnerships that provide a competitive learning experience for our students.”
Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research (CHOPR)
The Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research (CHOPR) at St. Cloud State integrates academic and professional growth of both students and faculty with cutting-edge research on public health care topics throughout the state of Minnesota.
The commitment from CentraCare will assist in establishing a collaborative and innovative research culture across both institutions to seize opportunities and quickly address challenges when and where they may arise.
“The power of our two institutions would benefit Central Minnesota by infusing evidence-based practices and original research in a responsive manner,” said King Banaian, Dean of the School of Public Affairs. “Such research will empower policy discussions that are unique to the health care landscape of Central Minnesota.”
St. Cloud State and CentraCare have a long history of collaboration across a variety of disciplines designed to advance community health. The creation of St. Cloud State’s Graduate Nursing Education program and the establishment of CHOPR represents next-level cooperation between two of the community’s anchor institutions.
CentraCare/St. Cloud State Partnership Announcement from UTVS Television on Vimeo.
