Butterfield Applauds East Carolina University’s Receipt of Nursing Anesthesia Grant


WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for awarding East Carolina University (ECU) with a Nurse Anesthesia Traineeship grant in the amount of $12,516. The university will use the funds to support nurses who wish to obtain advanced educational preparation at ECU’s Nurse Anesthesia Program.

“There is currently a local and national shortage of nurses and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists,” said Congressman Butterfield.  “Research shows that the quality of healthcare services improves as the number of healthcare providers increases.  I commend the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for assisting East Carolina University in its efforts to properly train and produce nurse anesthetists, as well as provide essential healthcare to rural and underserved communities.”

The Nurse Anesthesia Program at ECU was established in 2002 as an expansion of the university’s College of Nursing.  The program addresses the local and national shortage of certified nurse anesthetists and works to relieve significant healthcare concerns of the surrounding region. Program curriculum prepares students to administer general and regional anesthesia as well as epidurals used in birthing.

 Every graduate of the ECU Nurse Anesthesia Program is currently employed full-time as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, with the majority serving rural and underserved populations. Most enrollees are native to eastern North Carolina and reflect minority and underrepresented backgrounds.

 

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