A $2.35 million contribution from the Farmer Family Foundation to UC Health aims to ease the national nursing shortage while strengthening care in specialized areas like neurology and neuroscience.
The gift establishes the Farmer Family Fund in Neuroscience Nursing, offering tuition reimbursement incentives to graduates of the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing who commit to working in neurology-focused roles at UC Health. Nurses who complete three years of service are eligible, with the potential for full tuition repayment after four years.
“Through this incredible gift, the Farmer Family Foundation is addressing a significant challenge that our institute and top academic medical centers across the nation face today,” said Tara Williams, chief nursing officer at UC Medical Center. “Investing and partnering with the esteemed UC College of Nursing will make an indelible impact on our patients.”
Investing in the next generation of nurses
For more than 130 years, the UC College of Nursing has prepared nurses to serve communities across the United States. The college is recognized for its academic standards, technology integration, and research, most recently tying for 74th in the country in U.S. News & World Report rankings.
That reputation matters now more than ever as demand rises for nurses with neuroscience training. An aging population and growing rates of neurological conditions are fueling the need, and the work requires continuous education to keep up with new treatments.
In general, the need for nurses is growing across the country and will continue to rise, per UC Health.
The Farmer Family Foundation’s gift helps the college meet that challenge by training and retaining more nurses in Cincinnati, building a steady pipeline of expertise for patients who need it most.
Alicia Ribar, dean of the College of Nursing, called the foundation’s support “visionary.”
“Giving our students the option of tuition reimbursement will be life-changing for them personally, but also provide our region with highly skilled, advanced professionals who are critically needed,” Ribar said.
A history of support
The Farmer Family Foundation’s commitment to neuroscience and UC Health is nothing new. In recent years, the Farmer Family Foundation has supported the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute through projects such as the renovation of the neuro-ICU at UC Medical Center, the construction of the outpatient building, and several research initiatives.
Today, the institute provides advanced care across 15 specialties, including Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, brain tumors, and mood disorders.
That work reflects the foundation’s broader approach to philanthropy – investing in programs that address urgent community needs and create lasting impact. Its priorities range from expanding educational opportunities for at-risk students to fostering economic empowerment, with health care research and patient care as major areas of focus.
“A partnership between the world-class Gardner Neuroscience Institute and the respected UC College of Nursing is a wonderful opportunity for our community and nursing students,” said Mary Beth Martin, the foundation’s executive director.
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