Doctors’ $250K endowment to help WNC nursing students achieve their dreams
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Thu, 02/24/2022 - 12:42pm
Drs. Sandra Koch and Tim McFarren moved to Carson City in 1990 to join Carson Medical Group. During their more than 30 years of practice here they have been honored to work shoulder to shoulder with outstanding nurses — many of whom trained at Western Nevada College. The doctors agree that without the dedication, expertise and camaraderie of nurses, their work wouldn’t have been possible.
The World Health Organization is predicting the world could be short 5.7 million nurses by 2030. Drs. McFarren and Koch want to do their part. In recognition of the critical shortage in nursing care and with gratitude to so many RNs, they have created a $250,000 endowment at WNC that will provide a scholarship that will pay for half of the cost of the two-year education for two nursing students each year.
“Drs. Koch and McFarren recognize the important role nurses play in our local community and have been so generous in offering support for WNC students who choose this critical path,” said WNC Executive Director of Advancement Niki Gladys, adding that aspiring nurses can learn more about WNC’s program at wnc.edu/nalh/.
Dr. McFarren knows exactly what some of the nursing students are going through financially. His own medical career was nourished through the generosity of others.
“Unfortunately, my father died when I was 7 years old,” he said. “My mother raised 3 children as a single mom. If it weren’t for scholarships and other financial aid, I would have never been able to attend college or medical school. With this scholarship we hope to help people, who feel a calling to be a nurse, achieve their dream.”
Dr. Koch said, “Carson City is so fortunate to have an award-winning, two-year nursing program right here. We’re certain it improves the quality of health care in our community and gives our babies the opportunity to pursue a career in nursing without leaving home. The best ways to have great nurses in Carson City are to raise and educate them in Carson City.”
WNC Nursing & Allied Health Interim Director Deborah Ingraffia-Strong has been part of the college’s nursing program as a professor of nursing since 2005 and has helped prepare many outstanding nurses for the region.
“I love seeing the development of our nursing students from when they start the program to when they graduate,” Ingraffia-Strong said. “We have an experienced and dedicated staff that prepares our students to hit the ground running when they enter hospital settings and health care facilities following graduation. They are prepared to make a difference and we are proud of them!
“We greatly appreciate the scholarship donation of the doctors to help us continue providing the community with excellent nurses well into the future.”
Last year, the doctors created a two-year STEM Scholarship for “their babies” at WNC. It’s awarded annually and covers a two-year degree for each student. Because they have delivered more than 6,000 babies in the community, the doctors thought it would be great timing to provide scholarship funding to “their babies” who are now ready to attend college. The scholarships aren’t only awarded to the babies they once delivered. Their main focus is to help someone attain a higher education that wouldn’t be possible without some monetary assistance, as well as helping grow the community.
They both hope that some of the graduates will settle here and use their newly acquired skills to enhance our community.
Dr. McFarren graduated from the University of Southern California school of medicine and served his residency at the University of Colorado.
Dr. Koch’s journey to become a doctor began at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, then led her to University of Colorado also. That’s where their paths crossed and they decided to spend the rest of their lives together.
In retirement, the doctors are still thinking about the lives of others and welcoming the opportunity to make a difference in their community.
“We are so grateful to have been part of this wonderful community for more than 30 years and are so grateful to have the ability to give back,” the doctors said.
