The Morning Pointe Foundation and Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond recently announced new scholarships for physical therapy and nursing students.
The two new scholarships expand the organizations’ partnership. The Morning Pointe Foundation has been providing a $1,500 scholarship for occupational therapy students since 2018.
The Morning Pointe Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization provides scholarship opportunities, forms community partnerships and supports caregivers in its mission to advance the care of seniors.
The Foundation has been providing nursing scholarships since its founding in 2014, but the new scholarship at EKU marks the first physical therapy scholarship for the nonprofit.
“Partners like Eastern Kentucky University are critical to the success of the Morning Pointe Foundation as we strive to provide financial support for students pursuing careers related to senior care,” said Miranda Perez, executive director of the Morning Pointe Foundation. “EKU has been such a wonderful partner with us, and we are so excited to be able to expand our support to their students and add PT as one of the career paths we support.”
The nursing and physical therapy scholarships will be worth $1,500 each, once a year for the next three years.
“The significant impact of this Morning Pointe scholarship program cannot be overstated,” said Dr. Daniel Czech, dean of the College of Health Sciences at EKU. “This gift improves college access and affordability, as well as allows students to fully focus on their educational studies rather than competing with work hours needed to finance their education. Enhancing the Commonwealth’s healthcare workforce is paramount to EKU, and to have the Morning Pointe Foundation support this mission is fantastic!”
Dr. Jamie Woolery, student engagement director of the College of Health Sciences, added: “The generosity of the Morning Pointe Foundation is incredible; it has benefited our students immensely and will continue to do so. Our students are tremendous forces for change within our campus community and their own local communities, their talents are unmatched. The substantial gifts that the Morning Pointe Foundation has provided are helping to create the future of healthcare, Kentucky, and our world.”
Since its inception, the Morning Pointe Foundation has funded over 75 scholarships at partner community colleges.
Greg A. Vital, president of Morning Pointe Senior Living shared, “Especially in our post-pandemic healthcare environment, skilled caregivers like our Morning Pointe Foundation scholars are an incredibly precious resource. Nothing can replace their compassionate care and clinical knowledge, and it is our privilege to assist in bringing new and passionate caregivers into the field.”
Founded in 1997 by healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living owns and operates 37 senior living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in five southeastern states. These include 11 communities in Kentucky, in Richmond, Lexington, Danville, Frankfort, Louisville and Russell.
