Nonprofit Supports School’s Mission of Bringing Hope to the Community
LOUISVILLE, KY (April 28, 2023)—As the nursing shortage hits a crisis level in Kentucky, some West Louisville students are getting the chance to help, all thanks to a special gift.
The Gale Healthcare Foundation is awarding $5,100 in scholarships to Healthcare Essentials Training Institute to cover tuition and expenses for a group of students, and on April 28 the students graduated as certified nursing assistants (CNAs). The donation comes at a critical time:
- Right now in Kentucky, 22 percent of nursing jobs are unfilled, and
- The Bluegrass State faces a projected shortage of 16,000 nurses statewide by next year
“As we face this historic shortage, nursing education is more important than ever. Thanks to the Gale Healthcare Foundation, we are graduating nursing assistants who can help right away and serve people in our community,” said Melissa Coleman, Healthcare Essentials Training Institute administrator. “And for these students, it’s more than a job. It’s hope for a better future and a chance to provide care in an underserved area that desperately needs their skills. For too long West Louisville has struggled with violence and crime, providing jobs is a solution and way forward.”
Healthcare Essentials Training Institute is the only nursing assistance education school in West Louisville. When the school opened in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, the doors stayed open thanks to community support, donations and a heartfelt mission to inspire local students. One of those students is Destiny Proctor.
“Without my scholarship from Gale, I wouldn’t have been able to afford this education. I’m so proud to stand here today with the training I need to start my nursing career, and to have my family by my side. This is the best gift I could ever receive,” said Destiny Proctor.
The Story Behind Gale Healthcare Foundation
The Gale Healthcare Foundation is a national nonprofit created by the health-tech company Gale Healthcare Solutions. Often called the “Uber of Nursing,” Gale connects healthcare providers to nurses who accept open shifts. Nurses use an app to choose when and where they work and get paid the same day. Gale now operates in 40 states with more than 60,000 nursing professionals nationwide.
“We are trying to revolutionize the nursing industry and end the shortage by giving nurses flexibility and a better work-life balance. But we also must train more nurses, and that’s why we launched the Gale Healthcare Foundation to support nursing education,” said Stacie Stitsinger, Vice President of Operations at Gale.
Inspiring Students in West Louisville
The graduation ceremony is extra special for Gale’s VP of Operations Stacie Stitsinger because she started her career just like these students, as a nursing assistant. While working at a nursing home, she earned her nursing degree and eventually moved into healthcare management before becoming an executive leader focused on expanding Gale nationwide.
“I am honored to be here today and have the chance to share my story. I want these graduates to know that they’re starting a fulfilling career in nursing and, truly, anything is possible,” Stitsinger said.
Local students interested in nursing education scholarships can visit GaleHealthcareFoundation.org to learn more. The nonprofit is opening up $30,000 in new scholarships this fall and will consistently post new opportunities, with a goal to contribute $1 million toward nursing education by 2024.
“When we heard about Healthcare Essentials Training Institute opening in 2020, we fell in love with their mission and what they’re doing for West Louisville. We’re grateful to be in a position to give back and see everything come full circle,” said Vianca Trier, Gale Healthcare Foundation’s associate director.
About the Gale Healthcare Foundation
The Gale Healthcare Foundation was created in 2022 by Tampa-based Gale Healthcare Solutions (GHS) to support nursing education. Both organizations are committed to solving the national nursing shortage. GHS tackles the issue through technology that connects clinicians with open shifts in their area, while GHF provides educational and financial resources to grow and support the nursing workforce.