PHILADELPHIA --  The Presbyterian Foundation for Philadelphia has announced a  $1 million grant to create the Kass Endowed Scholarship program for the gerontology nurse practitioner master program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.  The Foundation and its subsidiary, NewCourtland Elder Services, a network of Philadelphia nursing homes, housing and programs for frail elders throughout Philadelphia, will work with Penn Nursing to oversee the scholarship program.

The program is designed to address the ever-present nursing shortage in today long-term-care industry.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than a million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2012.  Nationally, there are approximately 100,000 vacant nursing positions in the long-term-care industry.  

"As the nation faces a nursing shortage, the School of Nursing is grateful for The Presbyterian Foundation for Philadelphia's gift and for their investment in the best and brightest students in nursing,"said Afaf I. Meleis, dean of Penn Nursing.

The Kass Scholarship matches the largest gerontological nursing student funding given to Penn.  The scholarship, named for the Foundation and NewCourtland president and CEO, Gail Kass, will provide full tuition to eligible NewCourtland network employees, their children or grandchildren who are accepted to the program,  but, in their absence from the qualified pool, the scholarship will be awarded to a new or current  Penn student pursuing a degree in gerontological nursing.  Upon completion of the Penn program, the Kass Scholarship recipient will fulfill a one-year work commitment in the NewCourtland network.

Established in 1983, the GNP program at the University of Pennsylvania is currently ranked #1 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

NewCourtland places an emphasis on continued education, particularly among its employees, and has made strides in addressing the nation nursing shortage. .

"NewCourtland places an emphasis on affording the network staff the opportunity to expand their skills and knowledge throughout their career in the NewCourtland network.  This benefits the staff personally and professionally and also results in better care for the residents," Kass said. "We are so proud to be able to offer this scholarship in gerontological nursing at one of the best schools in the country."