Fabaz Family Endowment supports healthcare education at WSCC

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The West Shore Community College Foundation is pleased to announce that the Fabaz Family Endowment Fund will support efforts of scaling up healthcare workers’ education, working with the latest ground-breaking partnership between Corewell Health and the college for a Registered Nurse (RN) Apprenticeship program.

The gift will be invested to ensure ongoing financial aid for healthcare workers looking to advance their education and move upward in their career.

Happy black healthcare worker wearing protective face mask communicating with a businessman who is holding educational event at convention center.

“This endowment will leave a lifelong impact on the college,” stated Crystal Young, executive director of college relations. “We know that many individuals have barriers to furthering their education. This endowment assists with financial needs while the apprenticeship program allows the application of skills already being done in the workplace to be applied to educational credits.”

Dr. Anthony and Candace Fabaz are long time philanthropists in the area. Dr. Fabaz has served on the college’s Board of Trustees for 11 years.

This past summer, the Fabazes were honored with the Justus and Paulina Stearns award; a legacy honor given by Spectrum Health Foundation Ludington Hospital.

“Having been in healthcare for over 30 years, this industry has a special place in my heart,” said Dr. Fabaz. “Seeing the impact the pandemic has had on the workforce, I am pleased with the progressive partnership of our college, Corewell Health, and the State of Michigan to come together to make an apprenticeship program happen.

Now working individuals can have an easier path to complete their education and our hope is that this fund will assist with unexpected costs.”

The gift will have far-ranging impact and the timing is excellent with the launch of the RN game apprenticeship program.

“This is super important,” said Shelley Boes, director of nursing and allied health. “We know people who don’t have the funds to go to school or are unable to take time off work to attend school, who would be wonderful healthcare workers. This endowment, coupled with the apprenticeship program, will give people more opportunities to become nurses.”