Academic Partnerships Grow Nursing Talent, Community Connections

For many years, thousands of Capital Region nurses have gained invaluable experience in the Albany Med Health System before even graduating from their collegiate programs. That’s because hospitals like Albany Medical Center are where nursing students perform clinical rotations to develop their specialized talents. Now, the System and its academic partners are deepening their commitment to learners so they can stay right here at home and provide a level of care only they can. These partnerships also underscore the System’s dedication to empowering employees with accessible—and affordable—ongoing growth and education opportunities.

In September, Russell Sage College, with support from the Albany Med Health System, announced a new grant program to draw nurses to local hospitals. The Russell Sage Nursing Career Start-up Grant offers the college’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates the opportunity to apply for up to $9,000 in grant awards if they stay in the area to work at acute care hospitals, like Albany Medical Center, Columbia Memorial Health, Glens Falls Hospital, and Saratoga Hospital. The program gives new nursing graduates a boost at the start of their careers and incentivizes new, talented nurses to stay local.

Albany Medical Center employees also receive a 30 percent tuition discount on Russell Sage’s highly regarded Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. Employees at Glens Falls Hospital, Columbia Memorial Health, and Saratoga Hospital have access to a 10 percent tuition discount for the college’s diverse range of graduate health care and management programs.

Shahnila Mahmood, RN, ’22, said, “My clinicals at Russell Sage were at Albany Med and my capstone experience was in General Medicine. I got my job here in orthopedics as a new graduate, and I’ve been here ever since I graduated.”

Mikaela Marquez, RN, ’22, said, “My undergrad at Russell Sage College I was able to work as a PCA in M2, ortho/spine. I did my capstone on a neuroscience unit. I did head-to-toe assessments. I did a lot of shadowing with the medical providers as well as the physician assistants. I got to do med passes, administering medications to patients, which helped me gain more confidence and experience.”

The Albany Med Health System’s partnership with Russell Sage also includes:

• System nurses as faculty in the undergraduate nursing program
• Clinical hours available throughout the System’s campuses
• Patient care associate employment opportunities while the students earn their degree
• Deferred tuition
• Support for the I Can Achieve a Nursing Degree (ICAN) program for underserved youth

“Training and supporting the next generation of health care professionals is paramount to providing our patients with the highest quality of care and services available,” said Albany Medical Center Executive Vice President and Hospital General Director Jason Mouzakes, MD. “By creating and strengthening these academic partnerships, the Albany Med Health System not only addresses workforce needs, but also positions itself as a leader in nursing education and employee development.”

At the same time, Albany Medical Center and Maria College will establish the Maria College Community Clinic, which is set to open in early 2025. To be located near Albany Medical Center’s emergency department, the clinic will provide a rich learning environment for nursing students and faculty who will also address growing community health care needs. Maria College faculty, nurse practitioners, and nursing students will staff the clinic, which is designed to alleviate emergency department overcrowding and provide comprehensive health care services to the community. Albany Medical Center will contribute critical resources, including exam rooms, a patient management system, laboratory access, and more.

The partnership with Maria College also includes discounts for Albany Medical Center’s Grow Our Own students. The program, which started in 2004, provides eligible employees with academic training and financial aid as they work to become full-time registered nurses at Albany Medical Center. To date, nearly 300 Albany Medical Center employees have become registered nurses through partnerships with colleges like Maria, Russell Sage, and Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC).

HVCC’s partnership with System hospitals not only offers nurse education opportunities, but also paramedic, respiratory and radiology training programs.

The Albany Med Health System’s partnerships include a range of respected academic institutions with various offerings such as discounts, tuition reimbursement, fellowship programs, on the job training while earning their degree, and even learning opportunities for high school level students. Glens Falls Hospital alone has more than 20 affiliation agreements with local, regional, and online nursing programs.

Mouzakes said, “Through these dynamic partnerships, the Albany Med Health System supports both the community and its employees by cultivating a highly skilled workforce dedicated to excellence in health care. These collaborations exemplify the System’s mission to advance education, foster professional growth, and meet the diverse needs of our communities.”

Discover career opportunities throughout the Albany Med Health System.