WellSky® and Austin Community College Mark 15 Years of Supporting Future Nurses
265 scholarships have helped ACC nursing students pursue their careers as Texas faces a growing nursing shortage
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — August 27, 2026 — For 15 years, WellSky has helped Austin Community College (ACC) nursing students overcome financial barriers on their path to becoming nurses. Now, together with the WellSky Foundation, the partnership has awarded 265 scholarships and invested more than $827,000 in ACC nursing students.
The scholarships help cover tuition, books, uniforms, childcare, and other educational expenses as Texas faces a growing need for nurses. The Texas Department of State Health Services projects demand for registered nurses will exceed supply by more than 56,000 full-time positions by 2036.
For scholarship recipient Carrie Chanda, the support came during one of the most challenging seasons of her life. After more than 20 years working as a medical assistant, Chanda returned to school to pursue her longtime goal of becoming a registered nurse while her husband was unemployed, she was recovering from a chronic illness, and her oldest son was beginning college.
“Financially, it would have been nearly impossible to go to school without scholarships,” Chanda said.
Now one year from graduation, Chanda plans to become a registered nurse and pursue a career in hospice and end-of-life care.
Fellow scholarship recipient Stephanie Bowen was inspired to pursue nursing after years of navigating the healthcare system while searching for a diagnosis for her young son. While balancing nursing school with caring for a child who requires specialized medical care, the WellSky Foundation scholarship helped with tuition, books, and childcare.
“It was huge,” Bowen said. “It helped us pay for tuition, books, and the tools I needed, but it also helped pay for childcare.”
Bowen plans to graduate next year with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and hopes to pursue a career in pediatric neurology.
“Austin is home to many WellSky teammates, making this longstanding partnership with Austin Community College especially meaningful,” said Brett Fuller, executive director of the WellSky Foundation. “By helping remove financial barriers for future nurses, we’re investing in students and in the long-term health of the Central Texas community.”
The scholarships are helping more aspiring nurses complete their education and enter the workforce at a time when Texas communities need them most.
Media Contact:
Alyssa Bruce
Wellskypr@walkersands.com
About WellSky®
WellSky is one of America’s largest and most innovative healthcare technology companies, leading the movement for intelligent, coordinated care. In today’s value-based care environment, WellSky connects providers, payers, health systems, life sciences companies, and community organizations through AI-powered software, analytics, and services. Our solutions help organizations scale smarter, collaborate more effectively, and unlock data-driven insights. The result is better alignment across all dimensions of clinical and social care — supporting better outcomes and lower costs. WellSky serves more than 20,000 client sites — including the largest hospital systems, blood banks, cell therapy labs, home health and hospice franchises, post-acute providers, government agencies, and human services organizations. With more than 40 years of industry expertise further amplified by AI, WellSky anticipates clients’ needs and innovates relentlessly to shape the future of coordinated care. For more information, visit wellsky.com.
About WellSky Foundation
The WellSky Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for vulnerable populations by removing social barriers to health, recovery, and lasting wellness. The WellSky Foundation is an engine for change, financially supporting organizations that enable care and healing for people, regardless of socioeconomic status. With a deep understanding of the social determinants of health, the WellSky Foundation partners with community organizations that are boldly addressing the top four socioeconomic factors affecting long-term wellness — housing, food insecurity, transportation, and isolation. The WellSky Foundation is committed to funding and supporting organizations that protect the people and communities they serve and create better outcomes for people in need. Together with our community partners, the WellSky Foundation is breaking down social barriers to health and wellness to build thriving communities. To learn more about the WellSky Foundation, visit wellskyfoundation.org.
About the Austin Community College Foundation
The Austin Community College (ACC) Foundation is dedicated to engaging alumni, community partners, and friends of Austin Community College to raise essential philanthropic support. Our team connects donors with meaningful opportunities that advance ACC’s strategic initiatives and promote student success. We are committed to transparent stewardship, ensuring donors see the tangible impact of their investments.
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