This year, at a time when the need for high-quality health care has never been greater, many of those preparing for health careers found themselves in need. Shutdowns and cutbacks meant the loss of jobs needed to pay for nursing school.

Steadfast supporters of Cizik School of Nursing reached out during these difficult times. Donations of more than $49,000 to the school’s Student Assistance Fund included a $10,000 matching gift from the Nancy and Clive Runnells Foundation. These contributions funded more than 80 hardship grants for students’ basic living expenses while attending nursing school.

Cizik School of Nursing Student Government Organization members helped sort and distribute food donations from Champion Forest Baptist Church’s Jersey Village congregation and the Houston Food Bank.

Long-time Cizik School of Nursing supporters Carla Diaz-Lewis and Kenneth Lewis helped keep students safe and nurses fed during the pandemic. Staff at UT Health Services, the school’s nurse-led primary care clinic, receive one of many lunch deliveries courtesy of the Lewis family. Mrs. Diaz-Lewis also delivered 200 individual bottles of hand sanitizer for our students.

Restauranteurs Maria and Chris Pappas, long-time members of the UTHealth Development Board and Cizik School of Nursing Advisory Board, provided delicious family dinners to-go from Pappasitos for our staff at UT Health Services. Maria Pappas is a past chair of PARTNERS and always steps up to support students, faculty, staff, patients, and the Houston community.

Medical Bridges, Inc., donated 1,000 surgical face masks and 300 KN95 masks to Cizik School of Nursing to help nursing students continue their education during this pandemic. Pictured is CEO Walter Ulrich of Medical Bridges with Dean Diane Santa Maria and professor Beth Ulrich.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our students during the pandemic!