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OGDEN — Intermountain Healthcare announced on Thursday it is donating over $1 million to support Weber State University's efforts to train future health care workers.
Specifically, the money will help with the university's new physician assistant program, the Diversity in Healthcare scholarship program, and the Office of Community Development Ogden Civic Action Network.
The physician assistant program, which is still awaiting approval, is expected to begin training 20 students beginning in January. It plans to enroll 40 students each year.
Judy Williamson, a nurse and administrator at Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital, said they are proud to assist Weber State.
"Weber State University has been a stalwart for education, improving the community and helping to provide the next generation of health care providers," she said.
Intermountain Healthcare said the hospital has a tradition of working with the university, which is less than a mile away, to train health care providers. The company said in a statement it recently donated medical equipment to the university and has funded scholarships there in the past.
Yasmen Simonian, dean at the Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions at Weber, said the hospital also provides representatives to serve on advisory boards at the university. She said they have benefited from the partnership.
"They've helped us secure the best equipment and space, which allows us to provide hands-on education to our students, so they're confident and ready to join the health care workforce when they graduate," Simonian said.
Intermountain said the contribution of the civic action network is part of a larger effort to improve community health by focusing on nonmedical factors that impact health, similar to contributions it made this year aimed at preventing domestic violence.
Sue Robel, chief nursing officer and regional president at Intermountain, said they have found supporting early childhood health by providing education has a positive effect on community health.
"We are thrilled to play a part in improving the health of our communities by supporting today's students – and tomorrow's healthcare professionals," Robel said.
