The University of Southern Indiana's College of Nursing and Health Professions is receiving nearly $5.4 million in federal grants to fund two public health programs, the university announced Monday.
The largest chunk of money, $3.7 million, will support the new Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program.
The five-year program is a partnership between USI, a handful of Deaconess clinics, and two local organizations focused on aging.
As part of the program, case managers will work in the clinics to provide social services to the elderly, like resources for advance care planning and chronic disease management.
"It might sound like a simple concept but what we really want to do is take the good work that’s happening in the area agencies on aging and the good work that’s happening in primary care and connect those to serve our community," says Katie Ehlman, a professor of gerontology at USI who will direct the program.
The rest of the money, $1.7 million, will kickstart a residency program for nurse practitioners. The goal is to help alleviate the primary care shortage in rural and under-served communities.
The university will start recruiting nurse practitioners to participate in the program over the next year.
The money for the projects comes from the Health Resources and Services Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.