JPS
JPS Health Network, Lockheed Martin Partner in COVID-19 Response
FORT WORTH, Texas (May 21, 2020) – Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), a leader in aerospace innovation, is partnering with JPS Health Network to leverage the use of technology to combat the spread of COVID-19 and its long-term effects on vulnerable and financially at-risk populations in Tarrant County.
Through a $500,000 Lockheed Martin grant to the JPS Foundation, which seeks philanthropic support for clinical care, research and training at JPS, the health system will move to expand telehealth services to include specialty care kiosks in neighborhood health centers and remote monitoring for COVID-19 positive patients whose condition can be managed from home.
“COVID-19 has brought into sharp focus the need for healthcare to maximize technology to serve all patient communities, from veterans and the working poor to people experiencing homelessness,” said JPS President and CEO Robert Earley. “Telehealth is the medical world’s answer to social distancing. Lockheed Martin’s generous gift will allow JPS to adopt methods of care that keep our patients and our team members safe.”
“Lockheed Martin and our nearly 20,000 Fort Worth employees are committed to helping our neighbors in need and supporting those fighting this pandemic on the frontlines,” said Michele Evans, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “Through these challenging times, JPS Health Network has not wavered in providing quality medical care to all, regardless of their ability to pay. With this gift, Lockheed Martin is proud to contribute to our shared goals of doing what’s right and protecting the communities we call home.”
Providing access to telehealth visits with specialists from kiosks at neighborhood clinics will not only decrease the need for patients to travel to the main campus, but it will help those patients without smart phones get needed specialty care. The kiosks also will cut down on excessive or non-essential trips to the emergency room.
The development of a remote monitoring program would allow JPS to track the vital signs of COVID-19 patients who are discharged to finish their overall recovery at home.
“Investing in innovation that protects our community is what Lockheed Martin does,” said Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley. “I am grateful for the company’s support of the vital work our public healthcare system does every day to protect the health of Tarrant County residents.”
A group of 10 aspiring JPS Health Network nurses will go to school for free thanks to Reach for the Stars scholarships.
Funded by an anonymous donor, the scholarships are awarded twice a year to JPS team members, according to Jodi Bell, Learning Projects Director in the JPS Human Resources Department. They’re earmarked for team members who want to become a nurse or those who already are nurses but want to enhance their education and abilities.
“It’s a full scholarship,” Bell said. “It covers all tuition, books and fees. It’s really a great opportunity for people who are interested in nursing-related education.”
The scholarship recipients for the current term are:
- Jean Beya, a certified phlebotomist in the Phlebotomy Lab
- Tami Jennings-Lawrence, an RN in Behavioral Health
- Melissa Lind, an LVN in the Oncology Clinic
- Irene Mutekwa, an RN in Behavioral Health
- Christian Nilo (Munoz), a certified surgical technician in the operating room
- Jada Randolph, a multi-skilled technician in P5 Surgical/Trauma Progressive Care
- Patrice Sherwood, an RN in Women and Children
- Lashunda Warner, an RN in the Health Center for Women
- Stacy Washington, a nurse resident in P5 Surgical/Trauma Progressive Care
- Stephanie Zollinger, a nurse resident in T11 Respiratory Pulmonary Unit
It was a huge blessing, financially, to get this scholarship
Danielle Brenner, a lactation consultant at JPS, was a Reach for the Stars scholarship recipient in 2019. The financial support has allowed her to attend two semesters of school for free. Brenner said she is attending the University of Texas at Arlington to earn a BSN degree. She estimated she’s saving $11,000-$12,000 between tuition, books and other expenses, a boost she appreciates as she tries to go to school while holding down a full-time job.
“It was a huge blessing, financially, to get this scholarship,” said Brenner who already holds a bachelor’s degree in nutrition. “It was nice not to have to stress about buying books, scrubs and all of those other things that go along with it.”
Brenner said she expects to graduate in December. She said when she does it will open up a lot of career opportunities in other nursing fields.
According to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, Texas has a critical nursing shortage. There were 14,973 fewer registered nurses in 2015 than there were jobs available. By the year 2030, the demand for RNs is expected to grow 53.8 percent leaving a deficit of 59,970 nurses. The report also predicted a shortage of nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists and certified nurse midwives which will grow every year over the next decade.
The next application period for the Reach for the Stars scholarships will take place in July. JPS team members can contact NursingStars@jpshealth.org for more information.
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