UW’s Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing is the beneficiary of a $250,000 commitment from Cheyenne Regional Medical Center that establishes a faculty partnership, integrating academic rigor with on-the-ground hospital experience. (UW Photo)
Cheyenne Regional Medical Center (CRMC) has made two new gifts to the University of Wyoming that build on its nearly three-decade partnership with the university and underscore a shared commitment to developing Wyoming’s health care workforce.
The new investments support two critical initiatives within UW’s College of Health Sciences: a joint faculty partnership with the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing and a pilot program delivered through the UW Science Initiative Roadshow. Together, these initiatives aim to promote evidence-based nursing practice while cultivating future health care professionals in Wyoming.
“Cheyenne Regional is proud to partner with the University of Wyoming to invest in the next generation of health care professionals,” says Robin Roling, chief operating officer at CRMC. “This partnership reflects our commitment to keeping talent in Wyoming by supporting local citizens and strengthening the future health care workforce.”
Investing in Faculty to Advance Nursing Practice
CRMC’s $250,000 commitment to the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing establishes a faculty partnership that will integrate academic rigor with on-the-ground hospital experience. The new role will hold a joint appointment at UW as a faculty member and at CRMC. Responsibilities include teaching, student advising and consulting on evidence-based practice initiatives at CRMC.
This partnership is designed to expand the use of best practices among nurses which, in turn, provides incredible patient care. Additionally, this role supports CRMC’s Magnet designation, a recognition the hospital achieved in 2020 and still holds today -- the only hospital in Wyoming to hold this designation that recognizes excellence in nursing practice.
“We are so excited to expand our partnership with CRMC through this new joint appointment to support the work we do together to develop a quality nursing workforce for Wyoming,” says Sherrill Smith, dean of the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing.
The faculty member also will serve as a resource for CRMC nurses seeking advanced degrees and research opportunities, helping to build a stronger and more skilled nursing workforce in Cheyenne and across Laramie County.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Health Care Professionals
CRMC also is supporting the development of a pilot K-12 health sciences curriculum through the Science Initiative Roadshow, UW’s statewide science, technology, engineering and mathematics outreach program. The $45,000 commitment, spread over three years, will allow UW faculty and students to collaborate with Laramie County schools to deliver hands-on, health-focused learning experiences.
The Science Initiative Roadshow currently reaches more than 7,000 students annually across Wyoming. This new health care-themed pilot program, developed in partnership with CRMC, will engage students in science through real-world applications in medicine, nursing and public health -- planting the seeds for future careers in health care.
“Cheyenne Regional appreciates the opportunity to continue partnering with the University of Wyoming Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing to ensure the highest-quality nursing care is available to Wyoming communities,” says Tracy Garcia, chief nursing officer at CRMC.
A History of Impact
These gifts continue CRMC’s long tradition of supporting Wyoming’s university. Since 1995, CRMC has contributed more than $417,000 to UW programs and hosted hundreds of UW students for clinical rotations in nursing, pharmacy, communication disorders and kinesiology. According to a recent report, in the last three years alone the partnership has accomplished the following:
-- 320 nursing students completed clinical or capstone experiences at CRMC.
-- 87 pharmacy students completed 122 clinical rotation slots across 11 specialized areas.
-- Graduate students in communication disorders and kinesiology were placed in key hospital departments, such as cardiac rehabilitation and speech-language pathology.
In 2020, CRMC and UW launched their first jointly funded nursing faculty position -- an innovative role that enhanced evidence-based practice at CRMC and strengthened student learning. That initial investment laid the foundation for this new faculty partnership.
A Shared Vision
UW and CRMC share a commitment to preparing health care professionals who can meet the evolving needs of communities across the state. These new gifts represent more than financial support. They are strategic investments in people, education and Wyoming’s future.
For more information about supporting UW’s College of Health Sciences, email the UW Foundation at angela.verploeg@uwyo.edu.
