St. Scholastica and Essentia Health’s deepening partnership awarded for excellence

Recognized for their outstanding contributions to nursing education, The College of St. Scholastica and Essentia Health are honored to receive the 2024 American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Exemplary Academic-Practice Partnership Award. Dr. Sheryl Sandahl, professor and chair of St. Scholastica’s nursing department and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) program director, and Carolyn Hughes, system senior nursing director of professional development and clinical excellence at Essentia Health, accepted the award at the AACN Academic Nursing Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., in October 2024.

“It has been a privilege to work toward this academic-practice partnership alignment over the years and see how our intentionality has benefitted not only our students’ experiences and job prospects but the level and quality of care available in our community,” said Sandahl. “This award is a meaningful recognition of many years of hard work and insight.”

“Essentia Health is working with colleges and universities across our region to address the nursing workforce challenges on behalf of the patients we are privileged to serve,” Hughes said. “We are excited to see our partnership with St. Scholastica thrive to support future health science professionals. Our shared Benedictine roots and shared values give us a unique commitment to our community.”

A flourishing partnership and legacy

This collaboration is a testament to the visionary work of the Benedictine Sisters, who established both the College and St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth in the late 19th century with a profound dedication to nurturing health care professionals. The continued work between St. Scholastica and Essentia Health has been strategically developed through a clinical affiliation agreement for nursing students initiated in 2013 and further solidified into a formal Academic Practice Partnership established in 2022.

This 100+ year partnership has also resulted in innovative grant awards from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Leadership from both institutions has played pivotal roles in successfully achieving this funding and supporting educational programming.

Dr. Rhonda Kazik, chief nurse executive at Essentia Health, said, “Our partnership is a leading example of innovation and excellence in health care. The results are better patient outcomes by using proven and innovative methods, improving nurses’ professional growth, attracting and retaining top talent, conducting pioneering research and strengthening our reputations through active community involvement. Together, we are not only seeking progress in health care; we’re transforming it.”

At St. Scholastica, educational programs are built on the foundation of Benedictine values, emphasizing the development of the whole person through a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum. This approach has distinguished the College as a premier institution for health care education, offering a wide array of programs including Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Physician Associate, Health Information Systems and Management, Healthcare Administration and Pre-Medicine, among others. Essentia Health employs over 1,000 Saints alumni, with nearly 500 serving in nursing roles, underscoring the strength and impact of this ongoing partnership.

“It is an honor to be recognized for this partnership, which highlights our shared history and values and our dedication to advancing the quality of health care education and patient care,” said Dr. Michael Wendinger, the Essentia Health dean of the School of Health Professions. “This collaboration remains a cornerstone of their mission to prepare compassionate, skilled professionals ready to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare industry.”