News

Western Carolina University’s School of Nursing has announced the launch of its new Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN), designed to prepare graduates with a strong foundation in nursing practice and leadership while meeting the critical need for nurses across Western North Carolina and beyond.

The Master of Health Sciences program at Western Carolina University was established in 2003, and with an everchanging health science field, the program has continued to adapt to meet the needs of students across the United States with backgrounds in healthcare administration and business, health-related education or clinical practice.

Jackson County isn’t an urban hotbed like the Charlotte’s and Greensboro’s of the state are. It doesn’t have big museums, aquariums or any other spot that might get kids interested in STEM.

The nearly 75 members of the inaugural class of Conway Scholars in Western Carolina University’s School of Nursing met their benefactor and heard a message of gratitude for obstacles overcome and encouragement for challenges ahead from North Carolina’s highest ranked health care official Thursday, Dec. 12, on the eve of commencement.

Two scholarship funds established by a Western Carolina University alumnus who grew up the son of Sylva’s first full-time optometrist before embarking upon his own distinguished medical career have supported scores of WCU students majoring in preprofessional health programs and participating in marching band.

Every Western Carolina University pre-licensure nursing student is now receiving scholarship support through a new program established by $2.1 million from philanthropists William and Joanne Conway via their donor-assisted fund, the Bedford Falls Foundation.

Three WCU physical therapy students will gain valuable hands-on experience this summer providing pro-bono treatment and services to residents of a community in Honduras with limited access to health care.

Members of the WCU family from as close as the Cullowhee campus to as far away as Ohio recently took time out of their schedules to provide a helping hand to their local communities for the second annual “Cats Give Back” service weekend.

Greensboro native Preston Ellington’s journey to being a physical therapist started back in high school in a health and human sciences class.