Mendocino College President Kathy Lehner receives a check from Kevin Erich, president of Howard Memorial Hospital. Courtesy photo.

UKIAH – Last week Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital in Willits continued to be a strong supporter of the Mendocino College nursing program by donating $10,000.

Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital has been donating to the nursing program since 2003, with the last donation of $3,500 coming in February 2007.

The donations have traditionally been used for student scholarships, but the recent donation will be used for faculty support in 2008-09.

“We currently have one full-time faculty member who is solely funded by grants and donations and we want to keep her on,” said Mendocino College Nursing Program Director Barbara French.

“We can’t keep the number of students up if we don’t have the qualified faculty to teach them,” French said.

Whereas the hospital has helped out the nursing program, the nursing program has contributed back to the hospital.

“They were in need of nurses and they have hired many of our graduates over the years. They hired seven graduates last year and have been happy with the nurses they get from our program,” French added.

Currently, there are 41 students in the nursing program and 22 students are scheduled to graduate this May.

Applications for the Fall 2008 Registered Nurse program will begin Feb. 4.

For additional information on the Mendocino College Nursing Program, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-468-3099.

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