Contributions to Horry-Georgetown Technical College will help ensure nurses for the region.

A donation is presented from McLeod Health to the Horry-Georgetown Technical College Nursing Program. Pictured from left to right: Edward (Dick) Tinsley, III, HGTC Foundation Board of Directors; Sherrill Nielson, McLeod Health Seacoast Chief Nursing Officer; Dr. Marilyn Murphy Fore, HGTC President; Monica Vehige, CEO of McLeod Loris Seacoast; and Scott Montgomery, CEO McLeod Health Loris.

As a partner in nursing education for the region, McLeod Health has made a $75,000 gift to Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) to support their nursing program.

Nursing represents the nation’s largest health care profession and the largest single component of hospital staff. By the year 2030, South Carolina will be one of four states with a nursing shortage of more than 10,000 according to an analysis by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Additional nurses will be needed to care for the aging population, who typically have more medical problems than younger people.

“The need for healthcare services is increasing as the number of aging baby boomers continues to grow,” stated Sherrill Nielson, Chief Nursing Officer for McLeod Health Seacoast. “As a result, more nurses are needed to educate and care for patients. This is why it is vitally important to McLeod that Horry-Georgetown Technical College continue to educate nurses.”

According to Nielson, nurses serve an important role in the delivery of quality health care. “McLeod recognizes the value of the nurse’s contribution in patient care,” said Nielson. “Providing patient advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, participation in shaping health policies and patient education are also key nursing roles. It is a tough job but with competent nurses as part of the medical team, McLeod is capable of carrying out its mission of providing quality health care for patients in the region.”

Because nurses are essential to health care and the region’s economy, this area is very fortunate to have a quality nursing education program at Horry-Georgetown Technical College.

“We are so grateful for our continued partnership with HGTC,” said Monica Vehige, CEO of McLeod Health Loris Seacoast. “McLeod Health is committed to finding the best nurses to provide excellent care to our patients. HGTC does an outstanding job of training quality students that we hope will be part of the future of nursing at any of our three McLeod campuses throughout Horry County.”

HGTC offers an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing (ADN) degree and a Practical Nursing (PN) diploma for students.

“HGTC is so pleased to partner with McLeod Health to strengthen instructional opportunities for the nursing program,” said Dr. Marilyn Murphy Fore, HGTC President. “HGTC is developing a generation of well-trained and highly skilled nursing professionals prepared to meet the challenges of modern health care demands. We are fortunate to receive this generous gift and have the support of community partners like McLeod to provide the best and latest equipment for training our nursing students, so they are ready to respond to the everchanging healthcare needs.”