Washington Adventist University and Northern Caribbean University Sign MOU to Bolster Nursing Workforce
Twelve Washington Adventist University team members, led by University President Weymouth Spence, traveled to Mandeville, Jamaica, to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Northern Caribbean University (NCU).
The MOU between Northern Caribbean University (NCU) and Washington Adventist University (WAU) was born from discussions with the Jamaican Ambassador to the USA Audrey Patrice Marks, the NCU and WAU presidents, and NCU alumni. The aim is to enhance NCU through the NCU Educational Foundation and a nursing collaboration
with WAU. In 2022, NCU President Lincoln Edwards visited WAU to discuss this partnership. Under the agreement, NCU students will complete prerequisites at NCU and transfer to WAU for their degrees. This initiative addresses the nursing shortage, as NCU can only admit 120 nursing students annually due to limited clinical space.
In anticipation of this partnership, Cheryl Kisunzu, WAU provost, and Tijuana Griffin, WAU director of Nursing, drafted an MOU. Additionally, Griffin and her team, along with Juliet E. Poyser, NCU director of Nursing, reviewed the prerequisites for WAU’s Nursing program.
Kisunzu says, “It is with excitement and rich anticipation that through this partnership, distinctive excellence in nursing care will be ensured, and distinctive excellence in nursing education will be available for both citizens of Jamaica and the United States.”
Many people from NCU attended the event, including Lincoln Edwards, NCU president, and Nanibala Paul, NCU associate provost of Academic Affairs.
“We are united in one purpose: to educate nurses to fulfill the mission of Jesus Christ,” says Paul.
“We are thrilled about the partnership opportunity with Northern Caribbean University, with the desired goal of increasing their nursing program enrollment. This collaboration now gives students the opportunity to enter the profession of nursing both at NCU and WAU,” says Spence. “Adventist HealthCare is also a partner in this innovative endeavor by offering financial and clinical support to WAU students. The desired outcome of this partnership is to fill needed positions in the nursing profession. We are hopeful to expand this model with Adventist HealthCare to other countries. Deep appreciation goes to the leaders at Adventist HealthCare and Northern Caribbean University for their support and creativity in addressing the needs of the nursing field.”
The MOU states that WAU and NCU “are joined by a common purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop and foster mutual understanding and a working relationship between the said parties within an academic arena (e.g., Nursing). This agreement will be used to strengthen academic collaboration and expand educational opportunities between both entities.”
“I want to thank Dr. Spence and his team for coming to Jamaica,” says Edwards. “I also thank Director Nurse Poyser, Dr. Griffin, Dean Wright, and our associate provost, Dr. Paul, for their support. This is a wonderful moment for the partnership between NCU and Washington Adventist University.”
Health Fair
This trip provided an opportunity to enrich the lives of Jamaican citizens through health ministry provided by WAU nursing faculty. Prior to the visit, Helen J. Wilson,
a professor of Nursing, and other faculty members met with Spence to express interest in serving the community through a regional health fair. Spence welcomed the idea and facilitated the mission trip. The faculty members, along with their spouses, conducted the health fair and were present during the MOU signing program.
WAU served 185 people during the two days of health services—the first day held at the NCU gym, and the second day held at the Good Samaritan Shelter.
Four NCU nursing students and two NCU nurses provided the following services:
• Free reading glasses
• Blood pressure, blood sugar and weight checks
• Body Mass Index (BMI) calculations
• Free dental hygiene supplies and lessons on proper cleaning
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) basics
• Nutritional education
• Physician consultation by NCU doctors
Andrews Hospital Visit
After the health screening mornings, the WAU mission team visited Andrews Memorial Hospital where President and CEO Donmayne Gyles provided a meal for the team and gave them a tour of the health care facility.
Conclusion
WAU is looking forward to the partnership with NCU. The goal is to develop moral leaders to serve God’s people in the USA and Jamaica. A nurse who knows Jesus is a powerful instrument for healing and service. WAU looks forward to future opportunities to expand this partnership and extend this healing ministry to the Jamaican community. It is a win-win situation!
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