GVSU, Mary Free Bed celebrate partnership that addresses nursing shortage, offers tuition assistance

Top photo: Christine Adams, simulation assistant, leads a tour of the Interprofessional Simulation Center for Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital staff during a partnership celebration with the Kirkhof College of Nursing.

Leaders at Grand Valley and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital celebrated a partnership on April 2 designed to address a nursing talent shortage and reduce financial barriers for students pursuing a nursing degree.

Under the agreement, GVSU Kirkhof College of Nursing students interested in the program will receive tuition incentives of up to $5,000 per semester for four semesters. After graduating and passing the licensure exam, they will commit to working at Mary Free Bed for at least two years.

Linda Lewandowski, dean of the Kirkhof College of Nursing, said the partnership strengthens the nursing talent pipeline in West Michigan while providing GVSU students access to clinical experiences at Michigan's top-rated rehabilitation hospital and the soon-to-be-completed Joan Secchia Children's Rehabilitation Hospital.

"This is an innovative program that places GVSU students at its heart," Lewandowski said. "We appreciate the partnership with Mary Free Bed and this tremendous investment in our students. Mary Free Bed is a recognized leader in rehabilitative care and will offer our students a clinical experience in which they can continue engaging in interdisciplinary care."

Students will get an introduction to the world of rehabilitation through Mary Free Bed’s 120 medical and sports programs, as well as by working alongside therapists and rehabilitation physicians. With accreditations from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International (CARF), students will see various diagnoses, including amputation, brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke and pediatric nursing.

“This partnership strengthens our shared commitment to elevating the specialty of rehabilitation nursing, opening pathways for students to learn, contribute and grow in a setting where every milestone matters," said Maria Opoku‑Agyeman, Mary Free Bed chief nursing officer and vice president of inpatient services. “Together, we’re cultivating a generation of future nurses who will champion recovery, independence and quality of life for every patient they serve.”

GVSU nursing students are well prepared for the workforce. KCON bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs focus on evidence-based nursing practice. In addition to clinical placements, students learn in a state-of-the-art, 68,000-square-foot Interprofessional Simulation Center, located in the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health, on GVSU's City Campus. More than 94 percent of all KCON graduates live and work in Michigan. 

“As a GVSU graduate who once relied on a scholarship myself, I know how life‑changing this kind of support can be,” said Lisette Wilson, nursing manager at Mary Free Bed. “Both organizations are deeply committed to shaping strong, compassionate nurses, and seeing them come together is truly inspiring. This partnership helps students step into their careers with confidence, and that strengthens care for our entire community.”