POWERGRAMS

EDUCATION Nurses' Aid Grant to Judson College helps establish new program Photo by Bill Snow Carter, right, presented check to Judson President David Potts. Judson students learn skills with mannequin in lab. T ON THE COVER: Former Gov. George Wallace waged a publicity battle against Alabama Power in the 1970s. Photo: The Associated Press PAGE 2 he need for nurses is becoming greater than ever, with the American Nurses Association estimating about 50 percent will retire in the next few years. Judson College is filling that gap in Alabama's rural Black Belt region – an area where the demand is particularly great. In November 2011, Judson, located in Marion, established a new nursing program that will help meet healthcare needs in Perry, Hale, Greene and Tuscaloosa counties. "In the Black Belt, people lack knowledge about what they need to do to stay healthy," said Karol Purdie, interim nursing program director at Judson College. "They need nurses who can educate them about preventive measures they can take to keep from becoming ill, such as receiving annual physicals and taking part in health screenings." The Alabama Power Foundation is reaching out to help improve healthcare in Alabama. The foundation made a $100,000 grant to Judson in support of its nursing program. The funds will be used in large part to provide equipment and supplies for the nursing skills lab, which provides students handson experience in patient care, said Purdie. Using electronic mannequins programmed to talk and breathe, the students learn to administer medications, conduct head-to-toe assessments, start intravenous lines, insert catheters and perform other patient-care techniques. "I was elated that the Alabama Power Foundation saw the potential in our program," Purdie said. "With the money you are giving us, we can purchase the best possible equipment, which will help us prepare our nurses to practice in the 21st century." Judson College has a long history of conducting service projects in the surrounding communities. As part of that effort, students travel to rural areas where they host community health fairs, diabetes and hypertension support groups, school screenings and other health-related awareness efforts. Although students have been involved in similar service projects for years, the new two-year associate degree program will focus on offering training in rural health. The goal is to improve accessibility to healthcare in areas marked by nursing shortages. "Providing this grant was a great opportunity for us to step out and help Judson develop nurses who can help more people in the community and abroad," said Aubrey Carter, manager of Alabama Power's Marion and Selma offices. "Judson serves the community by sending students into rural areas to provide health screenings and other wellness initiatives. We, at Alabama Power, can identify with this idea of giving back to others because our company was also founded on the principle of service to the community." In May, the first class of nurses will don their caps and gowns and march down the aisle to receive their diplomas. "Whether preparing students for their lives beyond school or encouraging them to reinvest their time and energy in communities, Judson is making a difference in Marion, Perry County and our state," said Southern Division Vice President Leslie Sanders. "The nursing program at Judson is particularly exciting because it prepares students to meet an ever-growing need for quality healthcare in rural Alabama." By Carla Davis

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