Western Colorado University’s new Nursing Education Program is gaining momentum this spring, with major funding support and a new director.

The Program received a $560,000 grant from The Colorado Health Foundation, which will be distributed over the next three years.

Emily McMahill, one of two faculty members helping launch the Nursing Program, said the award recognizes the importance of supporting programs that serve underserved populations, like those in rural areas.

“Our efforts to train nurses who understand the unique demands of rural healthcare resonated with the Colorado Health Foundation,” McMahill said. “The funds provided will help us build a nursing education program that garners awareness about the unique needs of our patient population and how to best support their health.”

During the Program’s earliest days, a small and dedicated team of faculty and staff shouldered all of the many administrative tasks required to start a nursing program from scratch. As the program began to take shape, the team turned its attention to leadership.

In March, McMahill announced that Beth Roten had been hired as the founding Director of Western’s Nursing Education Program. Prior to arriving at Western, Roten was the Associate Chief Nurse of Outpatient Services at the Grand Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Chief of Organizational Development and Education for the Western Colorado Health Care System.