LifeCare Scholars Receives Support from Live Oak Bank Grant

Nov. 11, 2024

WILMINGTON, NC – Lower Cape Fear LifeCare (LCFL) recently received a $300,000 grant, over three years, from Live Oak Bank in support of its LifeCare Scholars program. LifeCare Scholars is one of the four pillars of the local nonprofit’s three-year Sharing the Journey campaign.

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, like most NC healthcare providers, is aware of the 12,500 registered nurse shortage projected for our state by 2033. Nationwide, it’s also expected there will be a 20 to 40 percent reduction in hospice and palliative care clinicians needed to keep up with the country’s aging population. This coupled with the impact of the pandemic on the nation’s healthcare workforce, the local nonprofit has invested in ways to maintain a clinical staff knowledgeable in hospice and palliative care through its LifeCare Scholars program.

LifeCare Scholars provides an extensive, six-month orientation and training for registered nurses entering the field of hospice and palliative care. A combination of classroom education, preceptorship, and experience in diverse care settings, helps LCFL nurse residents adapt to hospice care practices.

“We’re extremely grateful to Live Oak Bank for their support of our LifeCare Scholars program and Sharing the Journey campaign,” Gwen Whitley, president and CEO, said. “Ensuring that the communities we serve have sufficient healthcare professionals ready to meet the needs of our aging citizens is essential. Hospice and palliative care are specialized types of medical care and support of this program will help us provide program nurses with the training and knowledge they will need. It will also help us attract high-quality program participants.”

The grant from Live Oak Bank will support four key aspects of the program: preceptorship one-on-one mentorships, clinical education resources, nurse scholar competitive salaries, and loan forgiveness to alleviate the burden of student loans and encourage a long-term commitment to the organization. This approach will help Lower Cape Fear LifeCare attract and retain essential hospice and palliative care clinicians vital to meeting the needs of the Southeastern NC counties it serves.

“Lower Cape Fear LifeCare is dedicated to continuing to provide the highest quality of care to our patients and families as our local elderly population grows and the need for hospice and palliative care services increase,” continued Whitley. “Through our LifeCare Scholars program and the support of businesses such as Live Oak Bank that are committed to enhancing the quality of life in our community, we will be ready to ensure those in our service area have access to the hospice and palliative care they need and deserve.”

If you are interested in learning more about this exciting opportunity, contact Jon Padgett, Talent Acquisition & Engagement Specialist at Jonathan.Padgett@lifecare.org.