CU, TRH partner to present Lee with full tuition scholarship

by Gerard Flanagan, lead writer and communications specialist, Office of Marketing and Communications

Campbellsville, KY (08/07/2025) — For Madison Lee, there was one major factor that convinced her to pursue a nursing career: making a difference in people's lives.

And now, Lee will have the scholarship funding to make her dream a reality.

Campbellsville University's School of Nursing and Taylor Regional Hospital partnered to present Lee with a full tuition scholarship recently during a ceremony at the hospital's Education Building.

"Receiving this full tuition scholarship feels incredible," Lee shared. "I feel deeply grateful for this opportunity, and I'm excited to dedicate myself to becoming a skilled and compassionate nurse."

Scholarship funds were made possible through the Kentucky Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund (HWIF), a public-private partnership enacted during the 2023 legislative session to address health care workforce shortages in Kentucky. The Council for Postsecondary Education administers the HWIF, which awards funds to healthcare program throughout the Commonwealth, such as CU's School of Nursing.

Taylor Regional Hospital matches the funds from CPE to create the scholarship.

"To the individuals who made this possible, I would like to express my deepest gratitude," Lee said. "This opportunity isn't just about money, but these individuals have invested in my future and have confidence in my potential to become an excellent nurse.

"I'm committed to making the most out of this opportunity, not only by focusing on my studies but also by using my education to make a positive change in people's lives."

Taylor Regional Hospital CEO Mike Everett shared that "there's no more noble profession than being a nurse" and emphasized the compassion and care they show to patients.

"You're the heartbeat of health care," Everett said. "I look to the nurses that have been at it 20, 30 years. We need more people to step up and say, 'I want to show that same compassion and make a difference in the lives of others.' And for that, I want to say thank you."

The Kentucky General Assembly recognized healthcare workforce shortages during the 2023 legislative session in part by establishing the Kentucky Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund. The fund provides scholarships and other incentives for students residing in Kentucky who are pursuing healthcare careers in areas with critical workforce needs. The program prioritizes funding for geographic regions of Kentucky facing the greatest workforce shortages. All money given or donated to the fund is matched, dollar for dollar, by the HWIF.

CU President Dr. Joseph Hopkins shared during the scholarship presentation, "First, congratulations to Madison. We are proud of you for making a great decision, a great decision to become a nurse and a great decision to come to Campbellsville University and to be a part of this partnership."

Potential students must apply through the CU School of Nursing and meet the criteria set forth by the School of Nursing and Taylor Regional Hospital. One requirement is that Lee will join Taylor Regional Hospital upon her graduation.

Hopkins added, "We're so grateful to have an incredible hospital like this right here in our own community and thankful to you for being part of this day and for making this possible, and I hope it's just the beginning of much, much, much more as we look to the future."

Dr. Michelle Dickens, Dean for the School of Nursing said, "the scholarship support provided through the Kentucky Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund represents a significant advancement in addressing the critical shortage of healthcare professionals across the Commonwealth."

"Administered by the Council for Postsecondary Education, this public-private partnership enables institutions like Campbellsville University's School of Nursing to invest in the education and preparation of future nurses. We are deeply grateful for this support, which empowers our students to pursue excellence in nursing and serve the healthcare needs of Kentucky. We are excited to welcome Madison as a student to the School of Nursing family," said Dickens.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.

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