TCI Grant Supports Population Health MSN Degree at McKendree
(LEBANON, Ill., January 25, 2019) — A $49,840 grant from the Telligen Community Initiative
(TCI) will support the development and delivery of an innovative population health
track in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) online degree program at McKendree
University.
The university’s online MSN provides graduate-level study for nurses in specific areas such as management, education
and population health. The TCI grant will enable McKendree to create a specific population
health option for aspiring nurse leaders and educators, with emphasis on rural and
underserved areas.
The course curriculum will incorporate best evidence and practices; experiential learning;
and collaboration with local, state and national resources and supporting organizations.
These include the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network, the Illinois Academic/Public
Health Partnership and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, among others. The
project will also establish partnerships between public health departments and critical
access hospitals.
The goal is to impact systems and organizational, population and patient outcomes;
to improve health care delivery; and to create sustainable improvements in overall
health and wellness. Dr. Janice Albers, RN, and Dr. Amy Piontek, RN, assistant professors
of nursing, secured the grant and will oversee the project.
“Very few MSN programs in the nation have a population health focus,” said Albers.
“Recognizing that there are excessive hardships experienced in rural and underserved
areas, the faculty at McKendree University embraced its duty to prepare nurses to
effectively serve those experiencing health disparities through the unique MSN Population
Health Option.
“We connected with our strong partners locally, at the state level, and accessed our
connections at the national level as well to create a unique curriculum. Our program
will provide students with real and relevant experiences to positively influence health
outcomes.”
According to its website, TCI invests in community “programs and nonprofits that address
social determinants that impact health and enhance equity, that are making healthcare
education more accessible, and that are fostering innovation.” In the past five years,
TCI has funded nearly $7.6 million in community-based grant support to 197 projects
in four states: Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma and Colorado.
To find out more about enrolling in the MSN population health concentration with McKendree
University, call (618) 537-6507.
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