In addition to continuing an annual scholarship supporting nursing students, the L. Franklin and Gertrude H. Purnell Foundation has made a new commitment of $50,000 over five years to enhance the health care technology needs of Wor-Wic Community College.

The first installment of $10,000 was used to purchase items that will be used by the non-credit allied health division. The $10,000 funded a new adult manikin for the certified nursing assistant laboratory, as well as an automated external defibrillator, a centrifuge, a vital signs monitor and a low vision simulation kit.

According to Jason Parker, secretary/treasurer of the board of directors of the Purnell Foundation, the foundation was created to establish and maintain medical care in the local community. “Funds are to be used for education and scientific use, with a focus on the medical field,” he said.

The Purnell Foundation has been providing financial support to Wor-Wic students with a named scholarship since 1983. The scholarship has grown over the years and is currently $4,000 per year for tuition and expenses for nursing program applicants from Worcester County who have plans to practice nursing on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.

PURNELL.

From left, Norma Schultz, non-credit allied health instructor at Wor-Wic Community College, and Ruth Gaudreau, part-time instructor, show some of the equipment that was recently purchased with a gift from the L. Franklin and Gertrude H. Purnell Foundation, to Jason Parker, secretary/treasurer of the Purnell Foundation’s board of directors.