Iroquois Healthcare>IHA Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Scholarship Program

IHA MOTHER CABRINI HEALTH FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Program Overview

The IHA Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Scholarship Program was a workforce investment initiative administered by the Iroquois Healthcare Association (IHA) and funded by the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. The program was designed to address critical healthcare workforce shortages across Upstate New York by providing direct financial support to low‑income and/or diverse hospital employees pursuing education leading to healthcare licensure or certification.

Launched in 2022 and implemented over multiple funding cycles, the scholarship program enabled IHA member hospitals to invest in their own workforce by supporting employees working toward high‑need clinical roles. Funding decisions were informed by IHA’s semi‑annual vacancy surveys to ensure alignment with the most pressing staffing needs across the region.

 

Core Program Components

The IHA Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Scholarship Program included several core components that ensured equitable distribution, accountability, and impact:

  • Scholarship Funding for High‑Need Roles: Scholarship funds supported employees pursuing education or certification as Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Medical Assistants, Medical Technicians, Surgical Technicians, and Respiratory Therapists—positions consistently identified as having the highest vacancy rates among IHA member hospitals.
  • Hospital‑Based Distribution Model: Grant funds were distributed to participating IHA member hospitals, which then awarded scholarships directly to eligible employees based on program guidelines and demographic criteria.
  • Targeted Outreach and Program Support: IHA developed and executed a comprehensive marketing and communications plan, including email campaigns, webinars, board presentations, and one‑on‑one meetings with hospitals to explain program requirements and support participation.
  • Program Materials and Reporting Infrastructure: IHA created standardized program materials, including sub‑recipient agreements, demographic profiles, FAQs, and testimonial guides, and provided ongoing technical assistance to hospitals to support compliance and reporting.
  • Ongoing Engagement and Oversight: Throughout the grant period, IHA maintained regular communication with participating hospitals, monitored progress, issued reminders for required documentation, and provided additional support where staffing turnover or operational challenges arose.

 

Program Goals

The goals of the IHA Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Scholarship Program were to:

  • Increase the number of healthcare workers in Upstate New York pursuing licensure or certification in high‑need clinical roles
  • Reduce financial barriers for low‑income and underrepresented hospital employees seeking career advancement
  • Strengthen recruitment and retention by supporting internal career pathways within IHA member hospitals
  • Expand the pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals, particularly in rural and underserved communities
  • Support economic stability for employees and their families through access to stable, salaried healthcare careers

 

 

Program Impact

Over the course of its operation, the IHA Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Scholarship Program achieved significant and measurable outcomes:

  • More than $1 million in scholarship funding was distributed to IHA member hospitals between 2022 and 2024
  • Approximately 367 hospital employees were supported in pursuing healthcare education and licensure across multiple funding cycles
  • In the final grant period alone, 135 employees received scholarship support, with 65% earning less than $50,000 annually and many supporting dependents
  • 79% of scholarship recipients pursued education to become Registered Nurses, directly addressing one of the highest vacancy roles across IHA member hospitals
  • Participating hospitals reported that scholarships helped employees reduce financial strain, remain employed while attending school, and progress into critically needed roles
  • Recipient testimonials highlighted improved financial stability, increased confidence, and the ability to continue education that would otherwise have been unattainable

Through this program, IHA and the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation helped advance workforce equity, strengthen hospital staffing pipelines, and create meaningful opportunities for healthcare workers and their families across Upstate New York.

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Resources

Additional materials related to the initiative include: