Grand Valley State University partners with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital for nursing program tuition assistance
The partnership will provide nursing students with scholarships from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in exchange for two years of post-graduation employment.
Grand Valley State University’s Kirkhof College of Nursing has partnered with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital to help address the region’s nursing shortage and help more individuals pursue a nursing education. The partnership will give nursing students a tuition incentive in exchange for two years of post-graduation employment with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
According to an article on Grand Valley State University’s website, Maria Opoku‑Agyeman, who serves as Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital’s chief nursing officer and vice president of inpatient services, was quoted as saying of the partnership, “This partnership strengthens our shared commitment to elevating the specialty of rehabilitation nursing, opening pathways for students to learn, contribute and grow in a setting where every milestone matters. Together, we’re cultivating a generation of future nurses who will champion recovery, independence and quality of life for every patient they serve.”
The partnership will help address the region’s nursing shortage by preparing individuals to fill open nursing positions and helping them gain the skills they will need to succeed in the field. Students in the university’s Kirkhof College of Nursing will be able to take part in clinical experiences within Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, as well as the new Joan Secchia Children's Rehabilitation Hospital, when that facility is completed. Students will work alongside therapists and rehabilitation physicians within the hospital’s medical and sports rehabilitation programs, exposing students to rehabilitation nursing for patients with diagnoses like amputation, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and stroke, and pediatric nursing.
Students who take part in the nursing partnership program will be eligible to receive $5,000 per semester for four semesters as a tuition incentive. These students, once they graduate and pass their licensure exam, must commit to working at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital for at least two years in exchange for the financial assistance.
Linda Lewandowski, the dean of the Kirkhof College of Nursing, said of the partnership, "This is an innovative program that places GVSU students at its heart. We appreciate the partnership with Mary Free Bed and this tremendous investment in our students. Mary Free Bed is a recognized leader in rehabilitative care and will offer our students a clinical experience in which they can continue engaging in interdisciplinary care."
Lisette Wilson,the nursing manager at Mary Free Bed, added, “As a GVSU graduate who once relied on a scholarship myself, I know how life‑changing this kind of support can be. Both organizations are deeply committed to shaping strong, compassionate nurses, and seeing them come together is truly inspiring. This partnership helps students step into their careers with confidence, and that strengthens care for our entire community.”
For more information about Grand Valley State University, visit the school’s website.