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Galen Awarded Prestigious NLN Center Of Excellence In Nursing Education Designation
The National League of Nursing has announced that Galen College of Nursing is among nine nursing education programs across the country that have been named 2023 National League for Nursing Centers of Excellence™ (COE).
As a single-purpose nursing college with a mission to increase access to quality nursing education, Galen was recognized as a COE under the ‘Promote the pedagogical expertise of faculty’ designation along with MGH Institute of Health Professions, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing, and Vanderbilt University School of Nursing.
“There is no higher honor than to be recognized by the National League of Nursing as a Center of Excellence,” said Dr. Tracy A. Ortelli, Ph.D., RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN and Executive Vice President, Teaching & Learning Innovation at Galen. “At Galen, our mission is not just words on paper—they are foundational to our shared vision for all activities related to teaching, learning, and student-centered support. Galen strives to promote a culture of opportunity without barriers, using innovative approaches to deliver quality education with an authentic, caring approach to educating the future nursing workforce.”
The NLN Center of Excellence (COE) in Nursing Education designation is designed for schools of nursing and healthcare organizations that have achieved a level of excellence in a specific area. Through public recognition and distinction, the program acknowledges the outstanding innovations, commitment, and sustainability of excellence these organizations convey. The first designations were awarded to schools of nursing in 2004 and the first designations for health care organizations were awarded in 2012. Today, fewer than 10% of nursing institutions hold the NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education designation.
Chief Executive Officer, Mark Vogt stated, “Achieving this designation is a significant milestone for Galen and is further validation of the sustained and outstanding work performed by our talented academic community. This is a reflection of a culture that supports a shared vision for teaching excellence, student advisement, and curriculum development. This vision helps create a sense of identity, promotes unity, and establishes exemplary standards for faculty that will usher in the next generation of competent and compassionate nurses.”
Formal recognition will take place during the 2023 NLN Education Summit at the Honors Convocation on Saturday, September 30.

Galen Hosts Kentucky Governor and Kentucky Nurses Association (KNA) for Historic Legislation
Galen College of Nursing had the distinct honor of hosting the Kentucky Nurses Association’s (KNA) first-ever Legislation session on May 26, 2023. The event focused on legislative opportunities and important issues impacting the nursing profession and marked a significant moment in history as Governor Andy Beshear signed landmark legislation aimed at safeguarding healthcare workers across the state.
The legislative session, held at the college’s state-of-the-art campus in Louisville, brought together nursing professionals, legislators, and stakeholders from the healthcare industry. “This event continues the focus on the legislative opportunities and important issues impacting the nursing profession that were highlighted at Kentucky Nurses Day at the Capitol in March 2023,” Dolores White, KNA President.
The session culminated in an extraordinary moment when Governor Andy Beshear signed into law House Bill 176, a ground-breaking piece of legislation focused on protecting the rights and well-being of healthcare workers. The legislation comprises a comprehensive set of measures designed to address key concerns, including guidelines for developing workplace safety assessments, plans, and standards specific to preventing workplace violence against healthcare workers.
“We are immensely proud to have hosted the Kentucky Nurses Association Legislation Session at Galen College of Nursing,” said Mark Vogt, CEO of the College. “This event showcases the collective determination of our nursing community and the commitment to support those who tirelessly care for our communities. We commend Governor Beshear for his leadership in prioritizing the needs of healthcare workers.
Galen College of Nursing remains dedicated to fostering the growth and development of nursing professionals and supporting initiatives that elevate nursing education and the nursing profession. By hosting this momentous legislative session, the college reinforced its commitment to advocating for nurses and helping ensure the highest standards of patient care.

Saucony and Galen Launch the First-Ever NIL Student Nurse Initiative in Recognition of National Student Nurse Day
Leading global performance footwear and apparel brand Saucony today announced that it is partnering with Galen College of Nursing, one of America’s largest educators of nurses, to introduce the NIL Student Nurse Initiative, the first-ever NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) program developed exclusively for nursing students. This groundbreaking program, created in partnership with full-service advertising agency Doner, aims to recognize, support, and celebrate the incredible achievements of this essential next generation of nurses as they prepare to embark on their critically important career journey.
A nursing education requires commitment academically. Nurses are also heralded for the high emotional I.Q. they bring to work each day. But often overlooked is the physical side of being a nurse. From the hours worked to the miles walked – the average nurse can walk nearly a marathon each week on the job – there is no question that today’s nursing students are true endurance athletes.
This unique collaboration between Galen College of Nursing and Saucony is launching during National Nurses Week (May 6 – 12). Saucony is offering NIL sponsorships to four of Galen’s top nursing students:
- Lauren Lowe – 2-year Associate Degree in Nursing program
- Sarah Sangha – 2-year Associate Degree in Nursing program
- Ashley Lutes – 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
- Brianna Nelly – 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
These high-performing students will serve as ambassadors, with their profiles featured on both Saucony and Galen’s social platforms, showcasing their commitment and performance, just as we would expect to see from other high-profile elite college athletes. At a signing event this week, Saucony helped to ensure each selected student is equipped with optimal gear to perform on the job and with their studies. Each student nurse received the new Saucony Triumph 20 and Saucony Endorphin Shift 3 running shoes, both designed to be worn all day, making them ideal for nurses on duty. Each student has also received financial compensation from Saucony for their participation in the NIL Student Nurse Initiative.
“As a company that exists to inspire and serve all humans to live their best lives, we are inspired by these remarkable student nurses,” said Kathryn Pratt, CMO Saucony. “Together with Galen College of Nursing, one of the largest nursing colleges in the country, we’re excited to support them on their journey and humbled to welcome them into the Saucony family.”
In addition to raising awareness for the vital role nurses play in healthcare, the NIL Student Nurse Initiative aims to inspire and prepare the next generation of nursing professionals. To recognize all nurses and nursing students, Saucony is also offering them 25 percent off Saucony products through May 18.
“We are thrilled to work with Saucony to elevate and celebrate the hard work and commitment that all nursing students demonstrate on their path to serving others,” said Mark Vogt, CEO Galen College of Nursing. “These nursing students have mental, physical, and emotional strength that many don’t realize. They will be going into a workforce that needs them now more than ever and we are proud to support them and the future of healthcare in our country.”
Emily Selch, Dean of Galen College of Nursing’s Louisville campus, added, “Our students are passionate about their future and work hard every day to make it a reality. To be able to recognize achievement while our students are on their way to becoming strong, caring, and compassionate nurses when patients need them most, is an amazing opportunity.”
“NIL deals typically recognize the performance of elite student-athletes,” Colin Jeffery, CCO, Doner.
“By joining forces, Saucony and Galen are championing the next generation of elite student nurses. Their hard work, strength, and dedication are not only admirable but essential to the future health of our nation.”
About Saucony
Saucony, the ‘Original Running Brand’ and a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW), is a leading global performance running brand that fuses innovation, style and culture. Widely recognized for award-winning technologies including PWRRUN™ PB, PWRRUN+™, and SPEEDROLL™, Saucony creates innovative technical and lifestyle footwear and apparel across Road, Trail and Originals. Founded in 1898, Saucony exists to inspire and serve all humans to live their best life by providing access to running, self-expression and creating a better world. For more information, go to www.saucony.com.
About Galen College of Nursing
Founded more than 30 years ago, Galen College of Nursing is one of the largest nursing colleges in the United States. With a focus solely on nursing education, Galen offers master’s, baccalaureate, associate, and practical/vocational nursing programs to over 11,000 students on its campuses in Louisville, Hazard, and Pikeville, KY; San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, and Austin, TX; Tampa Bay, Miami, Gainesville, and Sarasota, FL.; Cincinnati, OH; Nashville, TN; Myrtle Beach, SC; Roanoke and Richmond, VA; Asheville, NC; and online. Galen is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees. Programmatic accreditation status for Galen’s programs can be found on the College website.
About Doner
You’ll find us at the intersection of Modern & Main Street. It’s where we help Main Street brands compete in the modern marketplace – and Modern brands scale by connecting with everyday Americans. Our clients include McDonald’s, Johnson & Johnson, Stellantis, Amazon, JBL, Hackensack Meridian Health, Bloomberg Media, The UPS Store, and many more of America’s favorite brands. We apply data-driven strategy to bring our creativity to life across all platforms. And we offer our clients speed and efficiency with an in-house content studio that is the largest in the Midwest and unmatched in the industry. To learn more about Doner and see some of our work, visit doner.com.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Saucony
Sharon Barbano
sharon.barbano@saucony.com
Galen College of Nursing
Steph Moyer
smoyer@kwtglobal.com
Doner
Sarah Yu
syu@powellny.com

MountainStar Healthcare Welcomes Galen To Salt Lake City
MountainStar Healthcare and Galen College of Nursing have announced a new Galen campus is coming to the Salt Lake Valley in 2023. As a single-purpose nursing college with a mission to increase access to quality nursing education, Galen’s new location in Draper is expected to help address Utah’s nursing workforce needs. According to a recent report, there will be an estimated 200K-450K shortage of nurses in the U.S. by 2025, influenced by increased demand from an aging population, more nurses leaving the profession, and the inadequate supply of graduates from nursing schools.
MountainStar Healthcare, a Utah health system with dozens of care locations from Logan to Payson, is partnering with its parent network HCA Healthcare to bring Galen College of Nursing to the Wasatch Front. Galen joined the HCA Healthcare family in 2020, and has since expanded with nine new campuses in communities served by the national healthcare provider.
“We are delighted to announce Galen’s first campus in Utah and excited to begin our collaboration with MountainStar Healthcare to attract the next generation of nurses and help support the delivery of quality care in the state for the long term,” says Mark Vogt, Galen’s Chief Executive Officer. “With over 30 years of experience exclusively educating nurses, Galen is well-positioned to help expand the pipeline of practice-ready nurses in Utah.”
Expected to be completed in the latter half of 2023, the 31,920 sq. ft. campus will feature modern resources – from advanced patient simulation laboratories to classroom environments designed to encourage practice-based learning – creating a unique hands-on learning experience. Galen’s student support model has helped over 30,000 graduates enter the profession over the last three decades.
Jen Wagenaar, MountainStar Healthcare’s Chief Nurse Executive, added, “We are excited to work with Galen to welcome more passionate people into the nursing profession to care for Utahns. Many of the communities we serve are among the fastest growing in the nation, and it’s critical that we ensure access to nursing education as we continue to meet the changing healthcare needs in the Beehive State. Having one of the nation’s leading nurse educators right here in the Wasatch Front will help us nurture the pipeline of new nurses and also provide continuing education options to the thousands of nurses and clinicians already serving Utahns within the MountainStar Healthcare family.”
Located at 344 West 13800 South in Building One of Draper’s Irvine Office Park, the campus will initially offer a 2-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program starting July 10, 2023. Galen also plans to offer a 3-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the campus with a start date announcement coming soon. With four quarterly enrollments per year, admission for the first term is now in progress.
About MountainStar Healthcare
MountainStar Healthcare is a comprehensive care network serving Utahns in award-winning hospitals from Logan to Payson, as well as dozens of ambulatory sites of care. As part of HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading providers of health services, MountainStar is able to bring the data, insights and best practices from the enterprise’s 35 million annual patient interacts to improve care for families in Utah. The eight MountainStar Healthcare hospitals include: St. Mark’s Hospital, Ogden Regional Medical Center, Timpanogos Regional Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, Mountain View Hospital, Lone Peak Hospital, Brigham City Community Hospital and Cache Valley Hospital. Please click here to connect with MountainStar Healthcare on social media.

Wesley Healthcare Welcomes Galen to Wichita
HCA Healthcare affiliates Wesley Healthcare and Galen College of Nursing have announced a new Galen campus is coming to Wichita in late summer 2023. As a single-purpose nursing college with a mission to increase access to quality nursing education, Galen’s new location is expected to help address Wichita’s nursing workforce needs. According to a recent report, there will be an estimated 200K-450K shortage of nurses in the U.S. by 2025, influenced by increased demand from an aging population, more nurses leaving the profession, and the inadequate supply of graduates from nursing schools.
“We are delighted to announce Galen’s first campus in Kansas and excited to begin our collaboration with HCA Healthcare Continental Division and Wesley Healthcare to attract the next generation of nurses and help support the delivery of quality care in the state for the long term,” says Mark Vogt, Galen’s Chief Executive Officer. “With over 30 years of experience exclusively educating nurses, Galen is well-positioned to help expand the pipeline of practice-ready nurses in the Wichita area.”
Expected to be complete in the latter half of 2023, the 30,000 sq. ft. campus will feature modern resources – from advanced patient simulation laboratories to classroom environments designed to encourage practice-based learning – creating a unique hands-on learning experience. Galen’s student support model has helped over 30,000 graduates enter the profession over the last three decades.
David A. Leslie, MBA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, Wesley’s Chief Nursing Officer, added, “We are excited to work with Galen to promote the education of new nurses in the Wichita community and the continuing education of current nurses in the Wesley Healthcare workforce. Galen, along with all of our other strong nursing education partners, will help ensure our patients will continue to receive excellent patient care in the backdrop of a national nursing shortage. Expanding access to nursing education is absolutely critical to ensure the quality of healthcare in the greater Wichita area for decades to come.”
Located at 551 N. Hillside St., the campus will occupy the 1st floor and the entire 4th floor of the Wesley Medical Plaza. Galen will initially offer a two-year-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program and a Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse to Associate Degree in Nursing Bridge (LPN/LVN to ADN Bridge) program starting July 10, 2023. With four quarterly enrollments per year, admission for the first term is now in progress.
In addition, Galen offers online RN to BSN and MSN programs for nurses aspiring to advance their education in support of career growth and development. Admissions appointments can be scheduled by calling (877) 223-7040 or visiting galencollege.edu.
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About Wesley Healthcare
Wesley Healthcare is the region’s leading acute-care hospital network providing a full range of diagnostic and treatment services for patients throughout Kansas and northern Oklahoma since 1912. As a leader in Overall Recommended Care in national surveys, Wesley Medical Center treats more than 30,000 patients annually and delivers more than 5,000 babies – more than any hospital in a 13-state region. Wesley provides the most extensive emergency network in Wichita, with Wesley ER, Wesley West ER, Wesley Woodlawn ER and Wesley Derby ER, as well as the region’s only pediatric ER. Wesley owns and operates Wesley Medical Center, Wesley Woodlawn Hospital & ER and Wesley Children’s Hospital. HCA Healthcare’s Continental Division, which includes Wesley Healthcare, is ranked among the top five large hospital systems in the United States by IBM Watson Health as part of the 15 Top Health Care Systems recognition process. To learn more, visit www.wesleymc.com.

Galen Announces Second Campus Location in Virginia
HCA Virginia Health System and its affiliate, Galen College of Nursing, have announced a second Virginia Galen campus will open in Roanoke in 2023. As a single-purpose nursing college with a mission to increase access to quality nursing education, Galen will bring an additional educational option in Roanoke to help address Virginia’s nursing workforce needs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 194,500 average annual openings for registered nurses over the next 10 years, with employment projected to grow 9 percent.
“We are overjoyed to announce Galen’s second campus in Virginia and excited to expand our collaboration with HCA Virginia Health System. This new endeavor will help us continue to attract the next generation of nurses and help support the delivery of quality care in the state,” says Mark Vogt, Galen’s chief executive officer. “With over 30 years of experience exclusively educating nurses, Galen is well-positioned to help expand the pipeline of practice-ready nurses in the Roanoke area.”
The Roanoke campus will feature modern resources – from advanced patient simulation labs to classroom environments designed to encourage practice-based learning – that help create a unique hands-on learning experience. Galen’s student support model has helped over 30,000 graduates enter the profession over the last 30 years.
“The addition of Galen College of Nursing will complement and increase the availability of high-quality nursing education available in Southwest Virginia,” said Amy Woods, chief nursing officer at LewisGale Medical Center. “We are excited to work with Galen to expand the nursing workforce throughout Southwest Virginia, as well as enhance new graduate preparedness by bridging nursing education and practice.”
Located at Metis Plaza 1819 Electric Rd. Suite H, the campus will initially offer a 2-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program and a Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse to Associate Degree in Nursing Bridge (LPN/LVN to ADN Bridge) starting April 3, 2023. With four quarterly enrollments per year, admission for the first term is now in progress. In addition, Galen offers online RN to BSN and MSN programs for nurses aspiring to advance their education in support of career growth and development. Admissions appointments can be scheduled by calling (877) 223-7040 or going online to galencollege.edu.

Pembroke Pines Receives Programmatic Accreditation by ACEN for the ADN Program
Galen College of Nursing is proud to announce the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) has granted initial accreditation to its Associate Degree in Nursing program at the Miami Campus in Pembroke Pines.
ACEN programmatic accreditation is specific to nursing and affirms that the program is committed to quality standards in curriculum, outcomes, faculty, governance, resources, and students. It is a form of self-regulation and evaluates a specific program against a set of nationally normed criteria.
“At Galen, our mission to provide the highest level of quality in nursing education has never wavered. As we continue to expand access to education, it is imperative that we not only meet external standards at every single Galen campus but also exceed our own. This is a significant achievement for our Pembroke Pines campus, and I could not be prouder of our team,” said Audria Denker, Executive VP of Nursing.
“As a college dedicated exclusively to nursing education in today’s healthcare landscape, we must be always looking for ways to support the nursing profession, and most importantly, to meet and exceed quality metrics for our students and the communities they serve,” said Mark Vogt, CEO of Galen College of Nursing. “Congratulations to the talented faculty and staff who guide the development and delivery of our nursing education, and who made this possible.”
According to the ACEN website, “The ACEN supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public by the functions of accreditation. Accreditation is a voluntary, self-regulatory process by which non-governmental associations recognize educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality. Accreditation also assists in the further improvement of the institutions or programs as related to resources invested, processes followed, and results achieved. The monitoring of certificate, diploma, and degree offerings is tied closely to state examination and licensing rules, and to the oversight of preparation for work in the profession.”

HCA Houston Healthcare And Galen Announce New Campus
HCA Houston Healthcare and its affiliate Galen College of Nursing have announced a new state-of-the-art Galen campus will be coming to Houston, Texas in 2023. As a single-purpose nursing college with a mission to increase access to quality nursing education, Galen will increase educational opportunities in the community and help address Houston’s nursing workforce needs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 194,500 average annual openings for registered nurses over the next 10 years, with employment projected to grow 9 percent.
“We are honored to bring our 30 years of experience exclusively educating nurses to our fourth location in Texas. Galen is uniquely positioned to help expand the pipeline of well-prepared nurses in the Houston area,” says Mark Vogt, Galen’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are very excited to collaborate with our colleagues at HCA Houston Healthcare to attract the next generation of nurses and help support the delivery of quality care in the community for decades to come.”
The modern campus will feature resources designed to elevate the student experience. The facility will also feature advanced patient simulation labs and classroom environments designed to encourage practice-based learning. Galen’s student support model has helped thousands of graduates enter the profession with consistently high NCLEX® pass rates.
Kelli Nations, DBA, MHA, BSN, RN, NE-BC, Division Chief Nurse Executive at HCA Houston Healthcare, added, “We look forward to working with Galen to bridge nursing education and practice, not only to expand our workforce, but also to enhance new graduate preparedness. In addition, we’re excited to have our second HCA Healthcare Center for Clinical Advancement co-located within the Galen campus. With the new center, Galen students and HCA Houston Healthcare nurses alike will have the opportunity to enhance their skills in a leading-edge learning environment with the aid of advanced simulation technology and evidence-based education strategies that replicate real clinical situations. Today, with this announcement, the future of Houston health looks brighter than ever.”
Located at 11210 Equity Drive Houston, TX 77041, the campus will initially offer a 3-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program starting January 9, 2023. A Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse to Associate Degree in Nursing Bridge (LPN/LVN to ADN Bridge) program and Vocational Nursing (VN) program will be available in the following 2023 terms. All three programs are enrolling now.