National University Nurse Managed Clinic awarded HRSA grant to expand mobile health delivery to underserved communities.
San Diego, CA – July 25, 2022 – National University, a nonprofit university dedicated to serving adult learners, has been awarded a 4-year $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), under the Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR), in support of the National University Nurse Managed Clinic Project (NUNMC).
The NUNMC initiative was established to promote access to healthcare in underserved communities and utilizes an interprofessional health team approach through collaborations with trained professionals and faculty-supervised students. The team will deliver primary and behavioral healthcare on-site in six San Diego and Los Angeles communities, in association with clinical affiliates of National University such as community and faith-based organizations. This HRSA grant, funded at $1 million per year, will expand the existing nurse-led mobile health clinic to reach a larger demographic of medically underserved communities and increase access to primary healthcare services.
“NUNMC is proud to partner with HRSA once again in addressing communities where the healthcare disparity is extremely prevalent,” said Dr. Gloria J. McNeal, Associate Vice President for Community Affairs in Health at National University. “The advancement of this project will also provide learning opportunities within the clinical and research curricula in the BSN/MSN programs and ensure the integration of community health concepts to increase diversity in the nursing workforce.”
The grant elevates National University as a primary source of advanced nursing skills for students while providing accessible healthcare to an underrepresented population using cutting-edge telehealth technology. The concept of telehealth technology introduced by Dr. McNeal will allow students to practice in a simulated environment and hone skills needed on the job, such as remotely monitoring biometric data without compromising the health and safety of patients or students. Students who meet the minority and underserved criteria within the NUNMC project will receive $10,000 a year toward tuition and other related expenses. The (NUNMC) Project has been recognized by several institutions including the American Academy of Nursing as an American Academy of Nursing Edge Runner.
“Congratulations to Dr. McNeal and her team for achieving this significant grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,” said Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, interim president of National University and chancellor of the National University System. “Dr. McNeal’s leadership of the National University Nurse Managed Clinic highlights her dedication to providing students with unique opportunities to gain skills that will shape the future of our health care system, and it further exemplifies our commitment as a University to give back to the communities we serve.”
Dr. McNeal has served her community and country as a nurse, and a Naval officer, and continues to serve in the capacity of a leader and an educator. “If the voice of the nursing industry is taken into consideration, the future of this project promises unlimited opportunities to address the needs of the underserved.” Said Dr. McNeal.
The NUNMC Project has delivered an experiential learning opportunity for nursing and other health professional students, and has also provided healthcare to over 400 individuals from underserved communities in the South-Central Los Angeles area.
About National University: About National University: National University, a Veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of hard-working adults by providing accessible, affordable, achievable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego’s largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 75 online and on-campus programs and flexible four-week classes designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to over 30,000 students and 190,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. Learn more at NU.edu.
Acknowledgment: The grant funded project referenced in this press release was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UK1HP46059, NEPQR for $4,000,000 and is supplemented with 12% of nongovernmental sources, including in-kind support. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.