Family Nurse Practitioner Program Garners More Funding Support

ACKNOWLEDGING THE VITAL ROLE OF THE FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER IN PRIMARY CARE AND THE LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION OF UCLA’S FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAM, TWO ORGANIZATIONS AWARDED MAJOR GRANTS TO THE SCHOOL TO PROVIDE THE FUNDING NEEDED TO PREPARE THE ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE TO MEET EVOLVING HEALTH CARE NEEDS AND SUPPORT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP.

SONG BROWN COMMISSION

Thanks to the ongoing and tireless efforts of Dr. MaryAnn Lewis, the school has received funding from the Song Brown Commission for 39 years (the only FNP program in the state to do so). These funds have allowed the program to strengthen its clinical components, create special projects and recruit students to work in medically underserved areas.

Because nearly 7 percent of the U.S. population suffers from mental illness, this year’s grant will focus on developing interventions using mindfulness-based interventions that combine Western and Eastern practices to tailor treatment plans for patients who struggle with depression and anxiety.

“We think it wise to be proactive and teach specific strategies to help patients with depression and anxiety and strengthen competencies of our graduates for adults with chronic conditions and geriatric syndromes,” said Lewis.

CVS FOUNDATION

Ten students in the FNP program will receive scholarships thanks to the CVS Foundation.

“As the need for qualified medical professionals in the United States grows, we know how important having a strong pipeline of Family Nurse Practitioners is to making high quality, convenient and affordable healthcare services more accessible,” said Eileen Howard Boone, president of the CVS Health Foundation.

John Lazar, a new assistant adjunct professor with the program, spearhead the application process.

The scholarship recipients must intern or volunteer with an organization that supports underserved populations. The 10 student recipients (pictured below) are: Linda Davila, Emma Nace, Julia Pazos, Ivonne Reyes, Natalie Samimi, Jonathan Tran, Dana Wilson, Katherine Guardado, Mi Sun Kim and Tracee Suntharaphat.

IN 1971, THE FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAM WAS ONE OF SEVEN DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS FUNDED BY HRSA. SINCE THAT TIME, THE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR ITS INNOVATION AND LEADERSHIP AS ONE OF THE OLDEST AND TOP DVANCED PRACTICE PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTRY. OVER 1,200 STUDENTS HAVE GRADUATED FROM THE PROGRAM.