Graduates of unique nursing education program receive statewide recognition

American Senior Communities (ASC) and Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County (HHC) recognized 16 graduates of the Opportunities to Nursing Excellence (O2NE) Program at a luncheon on Aug. 14 at The Bridgewater Club.

The O2NE program is presented by ASC and HHC, which together comprise the largest senior care provider in Indiana. Their commitment to promoting the professional growth of their employees and the long-term care profession resulted in the creation of this innovative scholarship program for employees who seek to advance their career in nursing.

The 2024 graduates are: Kendra Wallace, RN – Allisonville Meadows Assisted Living, Jennifer Fedeler, RN – Beech Grove Meadows, Hayley Langhorne, RN – Bethlehem Woods, Kyle Smith, RN – Cardinal Nursing and Rehabilitation, Julie Hamilton, RN – Countryside Meadows, Bethany Nitschke, LPN – Danville Regional Rehabilitation, Ivan Lemucha, RN – Maple Park Village, Lindsay Arthur, RN – Meadow Lakes, Hannah Patton, RN – Meadow Lakes, Precious Highbaugh, LPN – Meadow Lakes, Maria Willman, RN – Riverwalk Village, Lindsay Roberts, RN – Rosegate, Jeremy Kelnhofer, RN – Rosewalk Village of Lafayette, Sierra Ferry, RN – Rosewalk Village of Lafayette, Amanda Fancher, RN – Springs Valley, and Melissa Campbell, RN – Westview Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

The O2NE program assists caregiver staff in becoming LPNs and RNs via direct funding to accredited nursing schools while maintaining their current jobs. HHC helps cover students’ tuition and book fees, while providing participants with the flexibility to complete their education without being penalized financially with a commitment to work for an HHC facility for an agreed upon period post-graduation.

To date, this program has fueled opportunities for 240 graduates, many of whom are working in clinical management positions. Over half of the program’s participants are on track to become RNs.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have a wealth of clinical talent across the state here at American Senior Communities, and our recent O2NE graduates are no exception,” Chief Nursing Officer Alicia Sims said. “Supporting our team members in advancing their careers is an important endeavor that we prioritize at ASC. We offer our warmest congratulations to the 2024 graduates of the O2NE program.”

“The O2NE Program offers exactly the kind of clinical career development that has a system-wide impact on our ability to provide quality healthcare to Hoosier seniors,” said Julie L. White, VP of Long Term Care at Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County. “By making it possible for staff members to continue earning credentials while maintaining their current jobs, we are increasing the number of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) here in Indiana.”