Memorial Hermann invests in nursing program at Lone Star College

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital and Lone Star College-Montgomery are invested in getting the community the qualified nurses and medical care it needs.

For the eighth straight year, the hospital is supporting LSC-Montgomery with a dedicated salary for an additional nursing faculty member. This year’s contribution of $83,454 brings the total to nearly $600,000 since 2008.

“Memorial Hermann's investment allows us to provide high-quality instruction in our nursing program,” said Dr. Rebecca Riley, president of LSC-Montgomery. “Recent research shows that patient outcomes improve with greater levels of nursing education. Lone Star College provides those learning opportunities close to home. Help from partners like Memorial Hermann The Woodlands strengthens the education of all future nurses in our community.”

The mission of nursing at Memorial Hermann Health System is to provide exceptional outcomes by providing compassionate, quality care focusing on the unique needs of patients and their families. Catherine Giegerich, chief nursing officer at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, said LSC-Montgomery nursing graduates stand out and are often hired after completion of their nursing curriculum.

“Lone Star College graduates come from the community and that is a huge advantage,” Giegerich said. “They know the area, they are taking care of their neighbors, friends and family, and that gives them a level of engagement that is difficult to pass up when hiring. Memorial Hermann The Woodlands has grown by keeping the community’s needs at the heart of our strategy. We have provided exemplary care in this area for more than 30 years and this relationship with LSC-Montgomery exists because of the need residents and neighbors have generated.”

LSC-Montgomery programs are developed to meet expanding career demands. Nursing and health occupations are expected to grow in Montgomery and surrounding counties in the coming years. This growth is due technological advancement, an increased emphasis on preventative care, and the large baby-boomer population which will continue to push the demand for quality health care services as these individuals lead more active and longer lives.

LSC-Montgomery offers several nursing programs, including the associate degree nursing (ADN) track, licensed vocational nursing (LVN), and a transition to the professional nursing track for LVNs and paramedics desiring to pursue the ADN track.

Julie Kendall, director of Nursing Programs at LSC-Montgomery, said the nursing program requires intense faculty interaction, which is why one more instructor can make all the difference in students’ education.

“The continuation of faculty helps ensure students have the individual attention they need in order to be successful,” Kendall said. “Additional faculty help us maintain high standards of excellence for our graduates.”

For more information on LSC-Montgomery’s nursing program, visit LoneStar.edu/nursing-dept-montgomery or call 936-273-7030.

For more information on current nursing openings at Memorial Hermann, visit memorialhermann.org/careers/