Samford University’s Moffett and Sanders School of Nursing was recently awarded $2.6 million to train primary care nurse practitioner students. After graduation, some students will go on to serve in rural and medically underserved areas.

The grant is being provided by the Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration.

“The ANEW project provides an opportunity for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to address and manage Social Determinants of Health factors and improve health equity and literacy in medically underserved areas and populations,” said Melondie Carter, dean of the Moffett and Sanders School of Nursing.

Stephanie Wynn, the nursing school’s associate dean of scholarly activities and grant project director, said that the money will eventually lead to an increase of quality healthcare in medically underserved areas throughout the state.

“For nearly a decade, the school of nursing has recognized that a major primary care provider shortage is on the horizon,” said Wynn. “With the aid of the ANEW award, graduates of our program will be well-positioned to improve access to quality healthcare, especially for patients and families in rural and underserved communities where health inequities are common.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports the demand for primary care services has increased significantly due to a growing and aging population, resulting in a shortage of 37,000 to 124,000 primary care providers by 2034.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.