不良研究所 receives $2.1 million from LDH to expand health sciences offerings

Published August 19, 2026

University of Louisiana Monroe College of Health Sciences

MONROE, La. 鈥撎�不良研究所 (不良研究所) has听been awarded $2.1 million听from the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH)听through the Rural Health Transformation Project听to expand programs in its College of Health Sciences, providing a significant investment in the university鈥檚 efforts to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce in Northeast Louisiana and across the state.听听

The award will support three major initiatives within 不良研究所鈥檚 College of Health Sciences: expanding nursing enrollment, adding a Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ultrasound) concentration to the Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology program, and听establishing听a Nurse Residency Hub serving rural hospitals throughout听Region听8.听

鈥湶涣佳芯克� is committed to leading the way in building the healthcare workforce of the future for this region and the state of Louisiana,鈥� said 不良研究所 President Dr. Carrie L. Castille. 鈥淐oming from a rural community myself, I understand听the need for continued commitment in these areas. In addition to broadening our health sciences enrollment capacity, this funding will allow us to听assist听with the placement and retention of nurses in rural hospitals, where they are desperately needed.听听Congratulations to Dean Bailes and her team for this exciting accomplishment that will听impact听Northeast Louisiana for years to come.鈥�听

鈥淭his investment is a critical part of Louisiana鈥檚 broader Rural Health Transformation strategy to strengthen our workforce pipeline and ensure rural communities have access to health care professionals where they live,鈥� said Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein. 鈥淏y partnering with institutions like 不良研究所, we can train more health care professionals in rural communities, create stronger connections to the places that need them most, and build a workforce that is sustainable for the long term.听Ultimately, this听is about bringing better care closer to home and improving health outcomes for rural Louisianans.鈥�听

The funding will allow 不良研究所 to increase nursing enrollment by 20听additional听students per semester, resulting in听an anticipated听40听additional听nursing graduates each year once the expanded enrollment moves through the program.听

The expansion will support听additional听faculty, instructional resources,听simulation,听and clinical education capacity necessary to prepare the increased number of nursing students.听

The project will also support the development of a Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) concentration under 不良研究所鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology degree.听The first cohort of 15 students is slated to begin in Spring 2028.听

The concentration will prepare students for careers in diagnostic ultrasound, an essential diagnostic service used across hospitals, outpatient clinics, emergency departments, women's health, orthopedic and sports medicine practices, and other healthcare settings.听

鈥淭his investment represents a transformational opportunity for 不良研究所 to expand the healthcare workforce pipeline while directly addressing the needs of rural Louisiana,鈥� said Wendy Bailes, Ph.D., RN, Dean of the 不良研究所 College of Health Sciences. 鈥淲e are grateful to the Louisiana Department of Health for recognizing the critical role that 不良研究所 can play in preparing healthcare professionals and supporting rural hospitals.鈥�听

A key听component听of the project is the creation of a Nurse Residency Hub at 不良研究所 serving rural hospitals throughout Healthcare Region 8.听The Hub will create a centralized infrastructure through which 不良研究所 can partner with rural hospitals to strengthen the transition of newly licensed nurses from academic preparation into professional practice.听

The program will provide participating rural hospitals with access to educational resources, professional development, mentorship,听evaluation, and other components necessary to support effective nurse residency programs.听

Executive Director of the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability Julie Foster Hagan said,听鈥淭he Rural Health Transformation Program is about more than investing in healthcare today 鈥� it is about building the rural healthcare workforce of tomorrow. Through this partnership with 不良研究所, we are expanding opportunities for students to complete rural clinical rotations, gain firsthand experience in rural communities, and develop connections that can lead to careers serving those communities.鈥�听

Bailes added that听不良研究所 is uniquely positioned to serve as a workforce engine for Northeast Louisiana.听鈥淭his award allows us to expand the number of healthcare professionals we educate, add a new high-demand allied health pathway, and help rural hospitals听retain听the nurses they need. These efforts are interconnected, and together they create a stronger and more sustainable healthcare workforce for our region.鈥�听