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Christian Messa School of Nursing alumna, husband pledge to
establish presidential scholarship GALVESTON, Texas — A Houston couple has made a planned gift to establish an endowed presidential scholarship in the University of Texas Medical Branch’s School of Nursing for exceptional graduate-level nursing students. Dr. C. Stratton Hill Jr. and his wife, Charlotte, a UTMB nursing graduate, will create the Charlotte F. Hill, R.N. Endowed Presidential Scholarship to expand educational opportunities for future generations of nursing students enrolled in graduate-degree programs. Many who complete the graduate programs join nursing school faculties, the ranks of which have been severely depleted as members retire and their positions remain unfilled. “Stratton and I wanted to do our part to increase the dangerously low numbers of nurses and nursing faculty in this country,” said Hill, who graduated from UTMB’s School of Nursing in 1955. United States Department of Health and Human Services statistics indicate there will be only 635,000 registered nurses to fill almost 1.8 million positions by 2010. Compounding this crisis will be the growing need for nurses as an aging Baby Boomer generation — the 78 million people born between 1946 and 1964 — approaches retirement and increases demand for geriatric health care. In addition, there are not enough nursing school faculty to instruct the next generation of nurses. Many qualified nursing school applicants are refused admission due to faculty shortages. According to a study conducted last year by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the state’s public nursing programs could boost enrollment by 2,060 students if 211 new nursing faculty members were hired. Dr. Pamela G. Watson, UTMB School of Nursing dean, said the Hills’ presidential scholarship will reward outstanding graduate nursing students who are committed to the profession. “We greatly appreciate the Hills’ dedication to the School of Nursing,” said Watson, the Rebecca Sealy Distinguished Centennial Chair. “Their generosity will bolster our learning environment and inspire our graduate students to do their best in the classroom. I’m equally grateful to Charlotte for her valuable insight as a longtime member of the School of Nursing Advisory Council.” Like his wife, Stratton Hill was educated at UTMB, completing his internship training at the academic health center. He is professor emeritus of medicine at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and a nationally and internationally recognized authority on improving pain treatment and end-of-life care. The Hills have been staunch supporters of the UTMB School of Nursing, contributing to such initiatives as the Student Support Fund, Alumni Association Endowment and Annual Fund Scholarships. They are also members of the Heritage Council, an honorary society composed of individuals who remember UTMB in their long-range financial plans. The Hills’ latest commitment will benefit the university’s Timeless Values, Pioneering Solutions Campaign. This five-year, $250 million fund-raising initiative will enhance areas of excellence in teaching the art and science of health care; infectious diseases, biodefense and vaccine development; health care access and telehealth; and longevity, chronic diseases and neurological recovery. UTMB
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