HealthSouth partners with Auburn University School of Nursing

HealthSouth Corporation of Birmingham recently invested $325,000 in Auburn University's School of Nursing, solidifying the partnership between the healthcare provider and the university's nursing program.

HealthSouth's gift supports the School of Nursing's effort to raise $5.6 million in private funding to match university funds for Auburn's first facility specifically built and designed for nursing education. It also creates endowed HealthSouth Corporation scholarships, which will support eligible students who demonstrate financial need. With the continuation of the nationwide nursing shortage, HealthSouth's gift will strengthen Auburn's ability to compete for the best and the brightest nursing students.

"HealthSouth is privileged to partner with Auburn's School of Nursing," said Cheryl Levy, HealthSouth chief human resources officer. "We are thrilled to support the building of a premier facility to equip tomorrow's nursing professionals along with the creation of scholarships to ensure Auburn recruits top-tier students. We're investing in the health and wellbeing of patients throughout Alabama and the nation. As the future leaders in healthcare, the highly qualified nursing graduates from Auburn are at the heart of our investment."

The new 89,000-square-foot nursing building will allow the school to increase its student enrollment, attract additional faculty and provide students and faculty with spaces specifically designed to foster learning and research initiatives. Located at the southwest corner of South Donahue Drive and Lem Morrison Drive, the facility will be part of the gateway to the university's new Health Sciences Sector. Construction is expected to be completed for classes this fall.

"Building a state-of-the-art learning facility to prepare graduates to function in 21st century healthcare is a huge undertaking," said Gregg Newschwander, dean of the School of Nursing and the Barbara S. Witt Professor. "We're grateful for HealthSouth's investment in our new facility and scholarships for our students. They are a strong industry partner, committed to the future of nursing education at Auburn."

HealthSouth is one of the nation's largest providers of post-acute healthcare services, offering both facility-based and home-based post-acute services through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies and hospice agencies.