West Coast University Pledges $1.5 Million To Miami Children’s Health Foundation To Support Nursing Education At Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

MIAMI, Oct. 21, 2016 — Miami Children’s Health Foundation is proud to receive a $1.5 million pledge from West Coast University in support of nursing education at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, flagship of Miami Children’s Health System. This gift demonstrates the joint commitment to nursing education, which will ensure the continued delivery of nursing care to children through family-centered bedside manner and respect for the dignity, values, religious and cultural beliefs of children and families.

The generous gift will be allocated to provide the following:

  • Establish the West Coast University Fund for Nursing Excellence & Evidence-Based Practice. Once the fund is fully endowed it will become the West Coast University Endowed Chair for Nursing Excellence & Evidence-Based Practice.
  • Generate annual and perpetual contributions that will support the Nursing Professional Education (NPE) programs at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. NPE programs will consist of nurse educational programs such as school/certification programs, on-site nurse training, nurse conferences and the like.
  • Create Academic Scholarships at West Coast University offered to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Department of Nursing staff wishing to pursue online RN-BSN or RN-MSN degrees.

“Nicklaus Children’s has a long-standing tradition of leadership and clinical excellence, and this partnership with West Coast University will support maintaining the highest standard in nursing care for children along with educational opportunities for our nurses,” said Jackie Gonzalez, DNP, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

“We are so thankful to West Coast University for the support of our nursing program which will ultimately impact the care provided in our facilities,” said Lucy Morillo, President and CEO, Miami Children’s Health Foundation. “Nurses are an integral part of our Nicklaus Children’s Hospital medical team, and this generous donation gives us the opportunity to come together for the children of our community and beyond.”

In June 2013, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and West Coast University entered into a clinical nursing partnership, in which West Coast University nursing students are able to complete their pediatric clinical rotations at Nicklaus Children’s and hospital nursing staff utilizes West Coast University-Miami’s simulation lab.

“Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is a great partner to the entire Miami community including ourWest Coast University-Miami campus and students through their healthcare expertise and service,” David Pyle, principal and Board member for West Coast University, shared. “We are excited about expanding nursing education in South Florida even further through our gift to Nicklaus Children’s and continuing our mission of providing the highest quality healthcare education to the communities we serve.”

About West Coast University:
At West Coast University, we embrace a student-centric learning partnership that leads to professional success. Our mission is to deliver transformational interprofessional education within a culture of integrity and personal accountability. Our programs have been customized based on the healthcare industry’s demands, through collaboration with faculty and leading healthcare professionals. West Coast University opened its doors in Los Angeles in 1909 as a small ophthalmology school, with instruction conducted from a single classroom. Over the past century, the University has steadily grown and evolved into an institution of health care education, with a student body that’s more than 6,000 strong. Across our six campuses inSouthern California, Dallas, Texas, and Miami, Florida, we offer undergraduate degrees in nursing and dental hygiene, graduate degrees in nursing, health administration, occupational therapy, physical therapy and pharmacy. Our Orange County campus offers one of only four Bachelor of Science Degrees in Dental Hygiene in all of California and our online programs offer advanced degree options for the working professional. West Coast University is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

About Miami Children’s Health Foundation:
Miami Children’s Health Foundation (MCH Foundation) is a not-for profit 501(c)(3) organization established to support the creation of a world-class pediatric hospital so no child needs to leave South Florida for superior medical care. “Funding World-Class Care” and following the principle that all children deserve state-of-the-art pediatric care, MCH Foundation, now a part of the Miami Children’s Health System, has helped the 289-bed Nicklaus Children’s Hospital become a leader in pediatric healthcare with more than 650 attending physicians and over 130 pediatric sub-specialists. Currently, MCH Foundation is dedicating all its resources to Together For The Children, The Campaign For Miami Children’s, which aims to raise $150 million by 2017 and help fund priorities such as the expansion of the Emergency Department, construction of a new Advanced Pediatric Care Pavilion, enhancements to its three centers of excellence, and expanding global/telehealth endeavors. Other campaign priorities include research, pediatric outreach and special programs.


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