Local Organizations Join Forces to Sustain CCC Nursing Program

Clatsop Community College’s successful nursing program is the beneficiary of three generous gifts to support its continued operation and success during the 2012-2013 academic year. This support is critically important to both the program and to the college as a whole. Repeated reductions in state support have required CCC to engage local partners for funding in new ways. “We’re gratified by the tremendous response for our nursing program,” says CCC President Larry Galizio. “The CCC nursing program enjoys one of Oregon’s highest success rates. Its graduates serve our region in a wide variety of healthcare settings.”

Columbia Memorial Hospital, which has served the people of the North Coast for over 132 years, has pledged a $40,000 contribution to the CCC nursing program this year. CMH Chief Executive Officer Erik Thorsen notes, “Today more than 50 Clatsop Community College trained RN’s and Medical Assistants work at CMH, providing exceptional medical care to our community.”  Thorsen went on to say, “Working with CCC is directly linked to our Mission and the program is vital to the local healthcare community.” 

Providence Seaside Hospital, operated by Providence Health & Services, has pledged $25,000 to this effort. “The nursing program at Clatsop Community College has a great reputation and is vital to our community in so many ways. We need high-quality nurses in order to provide high-quality health care,” says Krista Farnham, chief executive, Providence North Coast Service Area. “Nearly 35 percent of our Providence nurses graduated from this school. We are proud to support the college nursing program again this year.”

A challenge by Columbia Memorial Hospital to secure funds for the nursing program also generated a $20,000 pledge of support from the Clatsop Community College Foundation. The Foundation’s successful 2012 Arts & Experience Dinner and Auction provided the funds needed to make this special contribution to CCC. In voting to approve this special allocation, CCC Foundation board members noted the program’s recent success – for the third consecutive year, 100% of program graduates passed the licensing exam for RN status on the first attempt.

Please direct inquiries to: Donna Larson, 503-338-2440; dlarson@clatsopcc.edu.

Clatsop Community College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution.

Attached Image: Erik Thorsen, CMH chief executive; Donna Larson, CCC Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs; Krista Farnham, Providence North Coast Area chief executive; and Larry Galizio, CCC President gather to celebrate local support for the CCC nursing program.