Agreement encompasses scholarship support and guaranteed post-graduate employment for scholarship recipients

image of Tom LoBasso and Jeff Feasel Q&A following joint press conference on Wednesday, December 4, 2019DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. (Dec. 4, 2019) – Halifax Health and Daytona State College, two of the area's most recognizable names in healthcare education and service, announced a new sponsorship agreement in a ceremony earlier today. This new agreement provides $500,000 in scholarship funding for DSC students in nursing and health-related fields, and guarantees post-graduate employment for all scholarship recipients. The agreement begins with the current academic year and students may begin applying for the scholarship in the spring 2020 term.

Also, in recognition of the agreement, the College will rename its softball stadium the Halifax Health Softball Stadium for a term of 25 years and designate Halifax as the "Official Healthcare Provider of Daytona State College Athletics" for five years. Officials from DSC and Halifax unveiled a rendering of the new entrance to the Halifax Health Softball Stadium at the joint ceremony.

Halifax Health is the first business to kickoff this new Education to Employment Scholarship Program and is encouraging other companies to participate. "Halifax Health represents opportunity to so many in our area," said Jeff Feasel, Halifax Health President and CEO. "Every year we provide scholarships for our Team Members to enhance their education. This program with Daytona State College, Education to Employment, is a great way for us to build a sustainable pipeline of life saving care givers and increase the economic vitality of our area. In addition, we are pleased to continue to support the athletes at Daytona State College as their official healthcare provider."

"This is a partnership that has tremendous benefits for students at Daytona State and future employees of Halifax Health," said Dr. Tom LoBasso, DSC President. "By working together to provide both educational and employment opportunities, we're able to address the needs of our local communities by filling critical healthcare positions with home-grown talent. Daytona State College has enjoyed a long and successful partnership for many years, and we're confident that this new scholarship will provide long-term benefits for everyone."

As part of the agreement, the Halifax Health Scholarship Fund has been established with the DSC Foundation, with Halifax contributing $100,000 annually over the next five years. Each year, the fund will provide $50,000 in scholarship money for employees of Halifax Health who are students in Daytona State's BSN program, $35,000 for students in the BSN or AS nursing programs, and $15,000 for students in other health related fields. The scholarship will pay the full amount of tuition and fees for each semester awarded.

All scholarship recipients will be selected by Daytona State College and may be either full- or part-time students. They must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be a resident of Volusia, Flagler or Brevard counties. Scholarship recipients must enter into a separate agreement with Halifax or a Halifax affiliate regarding their future employment with Halifax or one of its affiliates.

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