Special Projects

Nursing Excellence Fund — Texas Health Resources
The system-wide Nursing Excellence Fund is designed to provide scholarships that increase the number of baccalaureate prepared nurses serving patients at Texas Health hospitals. A first focus of the fund will be to channel scholarship support to students in the Accelerated Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of Texas at Arlington, with a goal of fully funding tuition for 80 students enrolled in the program each year.

Funds will also be used to support the tuition needs of current Texas Health nurses enrolled in the clinical nurse leader program through Texas Christian University, as well as for other educational program needs. 

For fundraising information, call Doug White at 817-317-5245.

Ladders in Nursing Careers (LINC) Program — Texas Health Azle, Texas Health Cleburne, Texas Health Fort Worth, Texas Health Southwest Fort Worth
With 100 percent of the program costs supported by philanthropy, full-time Texas Health employees striving to become licensed registered nurses can combine tuition reimbursement through Texas Health with LINC program stipends to work part-time yet still retain their full-time salaries and benefits while pursuing nursing degrees. 

Since 2002, donors have provided $2 million to the LINC program and in December 2009, the 100th participant graduated with a nursing degree. The program has been so successful at Texas Health Fort Worth and Texas Health Southwest that it expanded in 2010 to Texas Health Azle and Texas Health Cleburne.

For fundraising information or to donate to this program, call:

• Clint Sanders (Texas Health Azle, Texas Health Cleburne, Texas Health Southwest), 817-317-5248
• Laura McWhorter (Texas Health Fort Worth), 817-317-5235

For inquiries on the program or enrollment, call:

• Michelle Hampton (Texas Health Fort Worth), 817-250-5544
• Linda Humphries (Texas Health Southwest), 817-433-6255
• Robyn Owens (Texas Health Azle), 817-444-8706

HOSPITAL PROGRAMS

Neuroscience Center — Texas Health Arlington
With the 2009 recruitment of Dr. Sabatino Bianco to lead the effort, Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital has embarked on a multi-stage journey to build a Neuroscience Center of distinction to serve residents of Arlington and all of North Texas. Surgery facilities available in the new Vandergriff Tower provide the setting to launch such an effort, and philanthropic dollars can accelerate the process by supporting the specialized equipment and clinical training needs of this effort. More than $1 million is needed over the next two years. 

For fundraising information, call Doug White at 817-317-5245.

Indigent Mammography — Texas Health Fort Worth
The purpose of the Indigent Mammography Program is to increase awareness of early breast cancer detection and increased mammography screening in Tarrant County. Through this program at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth needs addressed are to improve access to screening mammography to the uninsured, underinsured and to the culturally and geographically isolated. The goals are to promote breast health education and provide clinical breast examination and digital screening mammography to these groups by improving access and by addressing language and cultural barriers. 

For fundraising information, call Susan Dalton at 817-317-5232.

Prostate Cancer Resource Center — Texas Health Fort Worth
Since 2002, men and families in North Texas have been able to depend on the support of the Prostate Cancer Resource Center when facing a prostate cancer diagnosis. The center offers one-on-one counseling, library resources, support groups, and care coordination services in addition to its role in organizing community screenings throughout the year. Community gifts are applied directly to the Center's program budget and help ensure that its services remain available free of charge to men and families in need. 

For fundraising information, call Susan Dalton at 817-317-5232.

Clinical Pastoral Education — Texas Health Fort Worth
The Clinical Pastoral Education Residency Program began in 1984 and combines professional theological education with Christian ministry.  Residents are preparing themselves emotionally, spiritually and educationally for a ministry of pastoral care and counseling, and for the aspects of their careers related to supporting patients and families in health crisis, including the grieving process. Their involvement at the hospital enables them to see and gain the experience and skills necessary to counsel and offer enhanced pastoral care services to patients and families in need — and insights into themselves as ministers. 

For fundraising information, call Laura McWhorter at 817-317-5235.