Minnesota schools will receive nearly $2 million in federal funds as part of a $159.1 million grants package announced Thursday to train more nurses, nurse anesthetists and other medical professionals.
The grants, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are part of a national effort under the new federal health care legislation to improve preventive care by increasing the size of the primary-care workforce.
"We cannot build a healthier America if our country continues to face a growing health professions shortage," Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a release.
In Minnesota, eight colleges and the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia will split the money for nurse education, retention and training, and geriatric training. The biggest recipient is the University of Minnesota, with more than $600,000 for nurse training and education, and nearly $600,000 for training practitioners in geriatric medicine.
In all, the department will provide $106 million for nursing workforce development and $29.5 million for three geriatric education and training programs. A total of $23.6 million will fund programs to improve the recruitment and performance of underrepresented minority students in health careers.
Josephine Marcotty
