By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

TAKECARE will donate $200,000 to the University of Guam’s nursing program on May 30 at the Leon Guerrero School of Business and Public Administration Building, Room 129.
TakeCare president Joseph Husslein said that since 2001, the company has contributed more than $1.14 million to the UOG nursing program.
The company has given funding to support student scholarships, classroom equipment and clinical supplies for the nursing labs, NCLEX reviews for students and graduates, computer equipment, faculty development, and continuing education of nurses.
“We pledge our unwavering support and commitment to the University of Guam’s nursing program. We renew our commitment with a $200,000 donation for 2007,” Husslein said.
Harold L. Allen, UOG president, said TakeCare’s support of the nursing program at UOG has enabled the program to obtain necessary equipment and supplies, scholarships, and faculty development that the university would find difficult to fund given the current state of scarce resources.
“An increase in enrollment at both the nursing and pre-nursing levels can be attributed in part to the investments made by TakeCare in our nursing program,” Allen said.
The number of nursing majors at the university has grown from 80 in 2001 to 114 for spring 2007. The number of students enrolled in the pre-nursing track has increased from 275 in the fall of 2004 to 335 for spring 2007.
During the university’s spring 2007 commencement ceremonies on May 7, 28 students will graduate with their nursing degrees.
According to Husslein, UOG nursing students know that they are receiving a quality education at the University of Guam and once they earn their nursing degrees, these graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN and begin their nursing careers on Guam and the region.
“Through our partnership with the university, we have contributed to the goal of increasing the number of nurses on Guam. I believe this is something which we can all be proud,” Husslein said.