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PARTNERS (Providing Advancement Resources To Nursing Education, Research, and Students)

PARTNERS raises funds through its annual fall appeal, spring luncheon, and special events, and through its community advocacy to provide vital funding for nursing scholarships and faculty research at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston. Over the year years, PARTNERS has provided the nursing school with almost $15 million in support!

 

Spring Luncheon speaker Sarah DiGregorio highlights the world-changing power of nurses

Don’t miss the 2025 PARTNERS Spring Luncheon, where critically acclaimed journalist and author Sara DeGregorio will discuss her book Taking Care: The Story of Nursing and Its Power to Change Our World. Learn more about the March 20 event, or purchase tickets online.

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A Legacy of Giving

Founding PARTNERS Chair Margaret A. “Peggy” Barnett and Dean Emerita Patricia L. Starck, PhD, RN, FAAN, worked together in 1994 to lay the foundation for a fundraising organization devoted solely to helping fuel growth at Cizik School of Nursing.

Students Scholarships

Since 1994, through its fundraising events and individual gifts, PARTNERS has funded more than 220 full-tuition scholarships to Cizik School of Nursing students. PARTNERS has also created the PARTNERS Scholarship Endowment with a current value of $2.8 million. 

To apply for a PARTNERS scholarship or learn more about the scholarships supported by PARTNERS, please visit Cizik School of Nursing’s scholarship information page. 

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Faculty Research Grants and Endowed Professorships

Since 1997, PARTNERS has awarded a total more than 65 faculty research grants and created the PARTNERS Faculty Research Endowment in 2009. These grants fund pilot projects that will lead to the development of research grant proposals to be submitted for major extramural funding. These grants provide new investigators with an opportunity to begin developing research programs and experienced investigators with an opportunity to further develop their research interests. One of the pilot research grants recently led to National Institutes of Health grants worth $3.8 million. PARTNERS has also been instrumental in encouraging board members and friends to create multiple endowed professorships and a chair that together are valued at more than $5.2 million.

Studying Pain after Stroke

Assistant Professor Deniz Dishman, PhD, DNAP, CRNA, is using a $100,000 PARTNERS grant to study one of the most common and immediate effects of stroke – shoulder pain.

Student Services

With 100% board participation, PARTNERS raised $250,000 to fund the student lounge on the second floor of the Cizik School of Nursing, a welcoming setting for studying and gathering with friends. It is available to all UTHealth Houston students. 

The PARTNERS Student Services committee provides Cizik School of Nursing students with healthy snacks and refreshments during exam days in the lounge. Upon graduation, PARTNERS provides the traditional Cizik School of Nursing pins to all Bachelor of Science in Nursing students, signifying the transition from student nurse to practicing nurse.

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PARTNERS Circle of Support

Members of the Circle of Support assist Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston through annual support. With this investment, the school is able to assist the best and brightest students and help recruit outstanding faculty. As a supporter, you will receive invitations to exclusive events throughout the year.  

Annual Circle of Support membership levels include:

  • Patron – $100
  • Advocate – $250
  • Lifetime – $2,500
  • Endowed Lifetime* – $5,000 (Current lifetime members may increase their gift by $2,500 to become an endowed lifetime member.) 
  • Any gift of your choice

To join the Circle of Support online, please visit the PARTNERS online giving page. 

To mail your donation, please make your check out to “UTHealth - PARTNERS,” be sure to include “Circle of Support” in the memo line, and send to the address listed below:


                        UTHealth Office of Development - PARTNERS
                        7000 Fannin Street, Suite 1200
                        Houston, TX 77030

 

Gifts

In addition to joining the Circle of Support, there are other ways to support Cizik School of Nursing through PARTNERS. You may consider giving to the PARTNERS Scholarship Endowment fund or supporting the dean directly through the Cizik School of Nursing Dean’s Excellence Fund. Additional donation opportunities include scholarship and tuition support and student supplies support. 

To give online, please visit the PARTNERS online giving page. 

To mail your gift, please make your check out to “UTHealth - PARTNERS,” be sure to include your gift designation (Endowment, School Supplies, etc.) in the memo line, and send to the address listed below:

                        UTHealth Office of Development - PARTNERS
                        7000 Fannin Street, Suite 1200
                        Houston, TX 77030