Deaconess Pledges $550,000 to Ivy Tech Evansville Invest IN Ivy Tech Campaign

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Deaconess Health Systems has pledged $550,000 to assist Ivy Tech Community College Evansville in expanding its nursing program and faculty members. This gift to the Invest IN Ivy Tech Capital Campaign, will assist Deaconess in increasing its critical need for additional nursing staff.

“Ivy Tech is a key partner in educating future nurses and other healthcare professionals who will care for our patients, families and community,” said Shawn McCoy, CEO, Deaconess Health System.  “This collaboration includes scholarship support for students, enhancing medical training equipment, and adding highly-experienced nurses to Ivy Tech’s nursing program adjunct faculty.  Investing in Ivy Tech’s health education programs means we’re investing in future employees who will come to Deaconess well-prepared and trained to provide quality patient care.”

“The very generous funding will allow for a much needed expansion of the current Paramedic Lab and classroom space into the Deaconess Lab and Classroom for nursing students,” said Chancellor Daniela Vidal. “Four additional cohorts of students will also be able to be added in clinical rotations.”  The Paramedic lab and classroom will be transitioned to the Plaza classroom spaces.

Much of the funding from Deaconess will be used for scholarships to recruit and retain students at Ivy Tech as well as student needs such as uniforms, background check fees, screenings and physical exams, Vidal added. A portion will also be used to increase full-time faculty wages to improve recruitment and retention of high quality instructors.

A second part of the Deaconess agreement will allow Ivy Tech and Deaconess to have eight shared adjunct faculty members. “This truly is a mutually beneficial solution to the need for more highly-skilled nurses,” Vidal said.

“There is an urgent need for nurses,” said Nursing Dean Gail Lindsay. “Ivy Tech Evansville currently accepts 90 students per year, and we have not been able to expand because of a lack of space – both physical in our building, the need for more faculty members, and a shortage of clinical opportunities.” Lindsay said currently there are 30-50 students per year who have to wait to enter the Nursing Program due to the lack of space, clinicals and faculty members. “This generous collaboration with Deaconess will allow for an increase in ASN students in 2025 to 138,” she said.

The ASN program is a two-year program that prepares graduates to take the NCLEX Registered Nurse exam, and upon licensing – work as a registered nurse. The program is designed to be completed in four semesters after acceptance.” Ivy Tech had an 86.2% NCLEX pass rate for ASN students last year.

The LPN program is a three-semester nursing program that prepares graduates to take the NCLEX Practical Nursing exam and to move on to working as an integral part of a healthcare team. Ivy Tech has a 100% NCLEX pass rate in the last five years. “Ninety percent of Ivy Tech nursing graduates stay in Indiana to live and work,” Lindsay added.

Celia Shoulders, executive director of the Ivy Tech Evansville Foundation, said the $285 Million Invest IN Ivy Tech campaign was launched publicly in Fall 2021, and is now in its final year. Those wishing to Invest IN Ivy Tech may do so at InvestInIvyTech.org.