SCF Donates Much-Needed Medical Supplies to Local Hospitals

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota’s (SCF) program directors, faculty and lab managers worked together this past weekend, gathering supplies from SCF’s Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Venice campuses to respond to the need of two local area hospitals: Manatee Memorial Hospital (MMH) and Venice Regional Bayfront Health. Both hospitals are accepting donations of supplies while challenged with responding to the pandemic Coronavirus – COVID-19. 

Having representation on Manatee Memorial’s and Venice Regional’s Board of Directors, SCF reached out to offer its supplies understanding there may be a need. “In times like these, we need to work together and help each other where we can,” said Dean of Nursing and Health Professions Matt Connell. “Our faculty were eager to help local healthcare providers serve our community. And we know our students would be proud.”

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that included masks, isolation gowns, exam and sterile gloves in the thousands from the College’s health sciences program were delivered Monday and Tuesday. Since its founding in 1957, SCF has offered an Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) Degree for those wishing to obtain a Registered Nurse (RN) license. In 2009, SCF expanded its nursing program to include the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

“On behalf of our patients, staff and physicians, I want to personally thank President Probstfeld and Mr. Connell for stepping up and supporting our community. Their donation during this healthcare crisis is much appreciated. We are all in this together.” Kevin DiLallo, CEO, Manatee Memorial Hospital.

Students within SCF’s nursing program benefit greatly from the close partnership the College has with Manatee Memorial Hospital and other local hospitals. In January 2019, MMH opened its first Dedicated Education Unit for SCF’s nursing students. Students complete their clinical hours in-part at area hospitals, providing them with invaluable hands-on learning and interpersonal skills; and as of 2019, approximately three in five nurses at local area hospitals were SCF alumni.

“We are grateful to SCF for donating supplies to help protect our medical teams and patients,” said Venice Regional CEO Karen Fordham. “Ours is a special community where people and institutions pull together to help one another. Thank you, SCF!”

To learn how you can donate supplies to MMH, contact Betty Chambliss, Director of Marketing and Communications at 941-745-7545. To donate to Venice Regional, contact Julie Beatty, marketing manager at 941-483-7797.  To learn more about SCF, visit SCF.edu.