Scholarship Endowment for the Jameson School of Nursing at UPMC Hamot
2022-2023 Corporator Project
Our Story
The UPMC Jameson School of Nursing at UPMC Hamot
It’s no secret that workforce development is the most critical need in health care.
As one of the fastest growing hospitals in Pennsylvania, UPMC Hamot has witnessed unprecedented demand for well-trained employees of all types. National trends have yielded an especially high demand for nurses.
The question facing UPMC Hamot became obvious in recent years. How could we hire an additional 50, 75, or even 100 nurses per year — all while ensuring exceptional training and job performance? Our leadership decided the only answer was to develop our own pipeline of nursing graduates.
In 2021, through swift decision making and strong local support, a partnership was formed to launch the UPMC Jameson School of Nursing at UPMC Hamot, a rigorous, RN diploma program featuring an incredible 900 hours of clinical learning.
HHF’s leadership in the redevelopment of the former Wayne School created a natural home for the School of Nursing. In a few short months, brand-new aspiring nurses filled the halls. Today, more than 60 highly diverse students are now mere months from entering the local health care workforce, beginning a fulfilling career and elevating the care our community will receive for generations.
The first class of nurses at the UPMC Jameson School of Nursing at UPMC Hamot represents the most diverse group of nursing students in the UPMC system. These students range in age from 18 to 56 years old and come from diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic circumstances. Some are starting their careers, some are making a career change. They each hold a desire to help people, to become nurses.
While their personal stories are incredible, one common theme emerges in the success of these students, and all those who will follow — critical support from scholarships.
Amy's Story
Amy is a student at the UPMC Jamison School of Nursing at UPMC Hamot. She currently works as a health unit coordinator in the UPMC Hamot Emergency Department. She lives in Edinboro, raising her four biological children and four foster kids.
“Education was so important to my mom, and she always wanted me to go back and finish college. But as a mom of eight, it just always seemed out of reach for me. After she passed away in 2019, I wanted to show my kids that it’s never too late to change your career, to follow your dream, to start over.
“Of all the local nursing programs, the Jameson School of Nursing at UPMC Hamot seemed like the best choice for me. The program is shorter and more intensive, and after only 16 months I can get back to working full time to support my family with a new career.
“The best part of the program for me has been the relationships I’ve made. Dr. Karen Morahan does an amazing job of making every student feel valued. She doesn’t just know your name; she knows your story. She wants you to succeed.
“Receiving the scholarship was such a relief. It makes it feasible for me to work part time and focus on school, while maintaining a healthy balance. To anyone considering the School of Nursing, I’d say: Be brave. You’ll never regret learning, you’ll never regret advancing your career, and you’ll be supported all the way.”
School of Nursing Fast Facts
- RN program; estimated starting salary of $30/hour with guaranteed job placement.
- 60 students anticipated in each cohort; persons of color comprise 30% of inaugural class.
- Classroom instruction is held at the former Wayne School, where a $12 million renovation created a hub for health care and job training.
- Every student completes 900 hours of clinical training at UPMC Hamot.
- Supplemental courses are taught at Gannon University.
Wayne School Reimagined
For 103 years, Wayne School served as a home for education on Erie’s lower east side. Creativity and collaboration fueled a $12 million renovation at the former school, creating a new home for a dynamic group of community organizations. Wayne’s core tenants — including Erie Center for Arts and Technology (ECAT), the Jameson School of Nursing at UPMC Hamot, Wayne Primary Care, and United Way of Erie County — have co-located to align their work in one of the unhealthiest zip codes in the state of Pennsylvania.
Hamot Health Foundation has proudly committed over $1.5 million to drive the work at Wayne.
Give Now — Scholarship and Dedication Opportunities
Hamot Health Foundation is proud to offer a variety of exclusive dedication opportunities to supporters of the scholarship endowment for the Jameson School of Nursing at UPMC Hamot. This endowment will not only assist in creating qualified nurses for our hospital, but it will also create life-changing careers for those students and their families. Donors can name scholarships and dedicate spaces in the new facility to honor or memorialize loved ones. Custom signage will provide an opportunity to share the story of those recognized. A variety of giving options are available, ranging from one-time payments to multiyear pledges.
Help to make a difference that lasts.
| Dedication Opportunity | Description | Available | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Partner | Opportunity to make a lasting impact on students as a scholarship endowment supporter. | 17 of 20 | $3,000 |
| Faculty Offices | Individual employee offices located in the school’s leadership wing. | 5 of 10 | $5,000 |
| Lactation Room | Private space for students who are nursing mothers. | PENDING | $10,000 |
| Conference Room | Executive space for meetings and discussion, located in the school’s leadership wing. | 1 of 1 | $15,000 |
| Endowed Scholarship | Opportunity to create a permanent endowed scholarship award, named by the donor to recognize an honoree of their choice. | 13 of 25 | $20,000 |
In addition to establishing an endowed scholarship award, donors at the following levels are able to dedicate a physical space in the Jameson School of Nursing at UPMC Hamot.
| Student Lounge Dedication and Endowed Scholarship | A comfortable space overlooking Wayne Park for students to eat, study, and gather. | 1 | $40,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Lab Dedication and Endowed Scholarship | Computer workspace featuring 18 desktop computers with fiber-optic internet connection, as well as a printer workstation. | 1 | $50,000 |
| Classroom Dedication and Endowed Scholarship | Key academic spaces, accommodating 40-50 students each. All classrooms feature abundant natural light, dual 85-inch monitors for instruction, and a faculty podium. | 1 | $75,000 |
| Skills Lab Dedication and Endowed Scholarship | Experiential learning space providing students a vital opportunity for hands-on mastery of nursing methods and procedures. | 1 | $100,000 |
| SON Leadership Wing Dedication and Endowed Scholarship | Administrative wing on the south end of the school of nursing, housing nine faculty offices, a conference room, and student waiting areas. | 1 | $200,000 |
| Academic Wing Dedication and Endowed Scholarship | Student wing on the north end of the school of nursing, housing three classrooms, a computer lab, student lounge, and lactation room for mothers. | 1 | $250,000 |
For more information, contact Nick Cianci (ciancin@upmc.edu; 814-877-2464) or Mark Louis (louismb@upmc.edu; 814-877-3962).