UNM alums donate to support nurse residency scholarships and rural nurse workforce

University of New Mexico alums and philanthropists Arishanda and Doug Campbell have donated more than $250,000 to the UNM Foundation to enhance nurse residency scholarships at UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center — A Campus of UNM Hospital (SRMC).

According to a release from UNM Hospital, the donation of $252,500 will also support the nursing workforce in rural New Mexico through the UNM College of Nursing.

The Campbells' donation includes a non-endowed gift of $126,250 to create a nurse residency scholarship fund. This fund aims to recruit and retain top nursing talent, recognizing nurses' essential role in bridging health equity and access gaps at SRMC. By alleviating financial burdens, the scholarship will enable nurses to pursue further education without compromising their livelihoods. This scholarship will encourage nurse residents to obtain a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN), addressing a critical funding gap.

At the time of hiring, 78% of nursing residents at SRMC do not hold a BSN.

In addition, the Campbells' matching gift of $126,250 is a crucial boost that will allow the College of Nursing to expand its training to rural sites throughout New Mexico. Experience in rural environments increases the likelihood of graduates practicing in those settings. The Campbells' gift will provide stipends, housing, travel and other expenses for students during rural rotations and support faculty coordination, ensuring these rotations' success and positively impacting the communities served.

“This generous gift opens a pathway for our nurses to further their professional development. Our nurses encounter distinct challenges while serving our rural communities,” SRMC President Jamie Silva-Steele said. “This gift helps overcome the financial hurdles often impeding the pursuit of advanced degrees, which are crucial for career advancement. I extend my personal thanks to Arishanda and Doug Campbell for their innovative support of our nursing staff, which will positively influence patient care and family outcomes at SRMC.”

Arishanda Campbell has more than 20 years of nursing experience in various roles. She earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2000 from the UNM College of Nursing. After graduating, she joined the New Graduate Nurse Residency program at UNM Hospital and later worked at Boulder Community Hospital and Longmont United Hospital. In 2023, she relocated to Albuquerque, continuing her hospice care support as a case manager for Bosque Trails Hospice.

Doug Campbell is an entrepreneur with expertise in the aerospace, defense and energy storage industries. He is the former CEO of Solid Power, a leading developer of all-solid-state rechargeable batteries for the electric vehicle market. He also co-founded Roccor, a small satellite industry component supplier. Campbell holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in civil engineering from UNM and has been recognized by the Denver Business Journal as a 2021 Most Admired CEO.