Farmer Family Foundation addresses nursing shortage with $2.35 million gift

A $2.35 million gift from the Farmer Family Foundation to UC Health targets the national nursing shortage and its impact on Greater Cincinnati, particularly in high-skill areas such as neurology and neuroscience.

The Farmer Family Fund in Neuroscience Nursing will provide incentives to graduates of the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing who begin their careers at UC Health, in any neurology practice training. Nurses must work for three years at UC Health to be eligible. The goal is that, after four years, a participating nurse will have their full tuition reimbursed.

The demand for neuroscience nurses is high, due in part to an aging population and an increase in neurological conditions. This need is amplified because these roles require extensive and ongoing education and skills training due to evolving advancements.

“Through this incredible gift, the Farmer Family Foundation is addressing a significant challenge that our institute and top academic medical centers across the nation face today,” said Tara Williams, chief nursing officer at UC Medical Center. “Investing and partnering with the esteemed UC College of Nursing will make an indelible impact on our patients.”

For over 130 years, the UC College of Nursing has been preparing the next generation of nurse leaders to serve their communities. The college is nationally recognized for academic standards, technology application and research activity. The College of Nursing’s programs are ranked among the best by U.S. News & World Report. This generous gift from the Farmer Family Foundation supports the goal of educating, training and retaining UC nurses in the Cincinnati region. 

“The Farmer Family is pleased to continue its support of the region’s health,” said Mary Beth Martin, executive director of the Farmer Family Foundation. “A partnership between the world-class Gardner Neuroscience Institute and the respected UC College of Nursing is a wonderful opportunity for our community and nursing students.”

In the fall of 2025, 125 additional students will join the college’s undergraduate program. The increased enrollment is an effort to contribute to a growing nursing workforce.

“The Farmer Family Foundation’s support for our future nurses and their contribution to patient care is visionary,” said Alicia Ribar, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing. “Giving our students the option of tuition reimbursement will be life-changing for them, personally, but also provide our region with highly-skilled, professionals who are critically needed.”

The Farmer Family Foundation has a history of supporting the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute by investing in renovations of the neuro-ICU at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, the creation of the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute outpatient building and research initiatives. The institute provides comprehensive care for the most complex neurological patients across 15 specialties, including treatments for headache and facial pain, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, brain tumors, mood disorders, stroke, neuromuscular diseases such as ALS, diseases of the spine and Alzheimer’s disease.

Featured image at top: UC College of Nursing students. Photo/Chris Radcliffe for the UC Foundation.