Saratoga Hospital Golf Invitational Raises $157k for nursing scholarships
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> The 2019 Saratoga Hospital Golf Invitational raised $157,514 for the hospital’s Nursing Scholarship Program.
More than 300 golfers and guests turned out for the recent annual event, which was held at Saratoga National Golf Club.
Since the scholarship program was launched in 2002, a total of 127 recipients have earned their associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing. Another 36 are working toward their degree.
“Investing in nursing education is one of the best ways to ensure that we continue to provide the high-quality patient care our community deserves,” said Mary Jo LaPosta, chief nursing officer and senior vice president of patient care and organizational excellence at Saratoga Hospital, in a press release. “On behalf of our nurses and our patients, we extend our thanks to the very generous sponsors of this event.”
Nursing education plays a key role in maintaining Magnet recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center— the highest honor an organization can receive for professional nursing practice.
Saratoga Hospital has been a Magnet facility since 2004, when the hospital became the first in the Capital Region to attain this designation. Only 28 of New York’s 222 hospitals have earned Magnet recognition, including two in the Capital Region. Nationwide, there are 488 Magnet hospitals.
“Community support for our nurses—and our Golf Invitational—is extraordinary,” said Meredith Woolford, executive director of Saratoga Hospital Foundation, in the release. “Every year, business and community leaders, golfers and volunteers turn out in force to help us provide the continuing education that benefits our nurses and every patient they care for.”