Through a $5000 donation from northern Minnesota’s Red Lake Nation, Bemidji State University’s Alumni and Foundation has purchased 54 stethoscopes for students enrolled in the university’s four-year track nursing program.
The donation from Red Lake’s Tribal Health Services enabled the department of nursing to purchase 3M Littmann Classic III Stethoscopes for all sophomore nursing students.
“The Red Lake Nation has been a strong partner and we are grateful for their generous support,” Josh Christianson, executive director of university advancement, said.
Nursing students are required to purchase a stethoscope upon entering their sophomore year and, motivated to alleviate this financial burden, Department Chair and Professor of Nursing Dr. Marci Maple turned to her colleagues in the field.
She first connected with her long-time friend Jerry Loud, executive director of the Oshkiimaajitahdah Institute of Technology in Redby, Minn. The pair discussed ways to honor students entering the nursing field and decided to pursue funds to provide stethoscopes for Minnesota’s future nurses.
“This was a great opportunity for us to build our partnership,” Maple said. “I am very thankful for this relationship.”
“Our nursing students have been impacted by the pandemic in numerous ways,” Christianson said.
“Many of the students are currently working within the healthcare setting and providing care to patients with COVID-19 while also being a student. It’s been an incredibly stressful time for many of these students.”
The stethoscopes were purchased through Allheart.com and after witnessing the partnership between Bemidji State and Red Lake, the vendor was inspired to contribute to the cause as well and waived their custom engraving fee allowing all students to have their names engraved on the tools free of charge.
