April 23, 2008

Contact Bobbie Wilson at 608-796-3075 or bawilson@viterbo.edu

VITERBO UNIVERSITY AWARDED $450,000 MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN HEALTHIER WISCONSIN PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM GRANT

LA CROSSE, Wis. – People of all ages in four western Wisconsin counties who are uninsured or underinsured will benefit from increased access to preventative health services, thanks to a $449,730 grant Viterbo University received from the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program.

As the lead institution, Viterbo’s nursing faculty and students, will build relationships with the health departments of La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon, and Trempealeau Counties, and the St. Clare Health Mission in La Crosse.

The goal of the project is to lessen the effect of chronic disease through increased disease prevention and health promotion activities. It also will also improve nursing clinical experiences for students who plan to work in public health. Nursing students will be involved in every aspect of the project.

Viterbo’s grant was one of 13 proposals approved for funding. Nine were from the Milwaukee area and Viterbo’s will serve western Wisconsin.

“The Viterbo School of Nursing and the collaborations that have been established with CARING, Inc. and the Salvation Army really show a demonstrated track record of leadership in getting things done,” said Bobbie Wilson, Viterbo grants coordinator.

The most closely involved in formulating the project include Wilson, Viterbo faculty members Stephanie Genz, Sheryl Jacobson, and Judy Talbott, and La Crosse County Public Health Department nurses Sarah Peterson, a Viterbo alumna, and Laura Gambino.