Mercy Health - Lourdes Hospital Gift Helps WKCTC Healthcare Education

Paducah, KY (08/13/2018) — A $100,000 gift from Mercy Health - Lourdes Hospital has given a major boost to a new Healthcare Education to Work Endowment Fund established by Paducah Junior College, Inc. (PJC), the foundation that supports West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC). The generous contribution from Mercy Health, which will also support the college's nursing program, helps ensure highly skilled nurses and allied health professionals are available to meet regional workforce demands in the healthcare industry now and into the future.

"We're delighted that Mercy Health has extended its long-standing partnership with WKCTC to include the Healthcare Education to Work Endowment Fund," said WKCTC President Anton Reece. "With healthcare identified as a high-demand workforce sector, industry partnerships are essential in meeting the needs of both students and employers. The support of Mercy Health helps us provide well-educated graduates who can secure employment at an attractive wage while meeting the expanding workforce needs of healthcare providers."

According to a Kentucky Occupational Outlook to 2024 report, the state's need for full-time registered nurses will see an increase of 36 percent over 2014 numbers by the year 2024, with increased demand in additional healthcare fields also expected.

"The recent contribution from Mercy Health continues a partnership with WKCTC to enhance healthcare in the region," says Michael Yungmann, CEO, Mercy Health - Lourdes Hospital. "Mercy Health is committed to working together to improve the health of the local areas we serve. We see this gift as supporting not only quality healthcare, but also educational opportunities and career development for our community members for years to come."

Lee Emmons, WKCTC vice president of advancement and PJC executive director, said the contribution from Mercy Health addresses both immediate and future needs by including a designation to support the current nursing program and a designation to support the Healthcare Education to Work Endowment Fund. "We very much appreciate Mercy Health's forward-thinking and generous contribution that helps immediately while building for the future," she said.

According to Emmons, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Foundation has a matching funds program for endowment gifts that meet specified requirements, making gifts such as Mercy Health's even more meaningful.

More information about giving to the Healthcare Education to Work Endowment Fund or providing other support to PJC and WKCTC is available by contacting Emmons at lee.emmons@kctcs.edu or 270-534-3084.

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