$4 million Sealy & Smith Foundation gift launches nursing scholarship and workforce program at UTMB

A $4 million gift from the Sealy & Smith Foundation to The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) is launching a new initiative designed to strengthen the nursing workforce while removing financial and housing barriers for students.

The gift establishes the ISLAND (Integrating Student Living to Advance Nursing Development) Promise, a tuition- and housing-supported scholarship program for students in the UTMB School of Nursing that creates a study, live, and work pathway.

"Throughout its history, the Sealy & Smith Foundation has been deeply committed to supporting nurses and nursing students at UTMB, recognizing the essential role they play in delivering high-quality care to our community," said John Kelso, president of the Sealy & Smith Foundation Board of Directors. "From early investments in nursing education to this latest initiative, the Foundation has sought to remove barriers, expand opportunity and ensure UTMB can continue to attract and develop outstanding nursing talent. The ISLAND Promise reflects that enduring legacy while advancing a forward-looking solution to meet today's workforce needs."

Through the ISLAND Promise, selected nursing students will receive full tuition coverage, subsidized on-island housing and living support, and priority placement into high-need clinical roles at UTMB Health following graduation. In return, program participants commit to working at UTMB Health for two years after completing their degree.

"During National Nurses Week, we celebrate the dedication and impact of nurses while recommitting to the future of the profession," said Kristen Starnes-Ott, PhD, CRNA, FAANA, FNAP, interim dean of the UTMB School of Nursing. "This is a transformational investment in the future of nursing. The ISLAND Promise allows us to recruit exceptional students, support them through graduation, and ensure they transition directly into meaningful nursing careers at UTMB Health. It's exactly the kind of innovative, student-centered solution our workforce needs."

Removing barriers while building the workforce

The ISLAND Promise is designed to address two of the most significant challenges facing nursing education and healthcare systems nationwide: student affordability and workforce shortages.

Each cohort will include a group of students, with new cohorts launching each academic term beginning in fall 2026. Over time, the program will support multiple students concurrently, creating a steady pipeline of nurses entering the UTMB Health System.

In addition to tuition and fees, the Sealy & Smith Foundation gift includes support for on-island housing through a student residential property located adjacent to the main campus.

Housing stability is a critical component of the program, particularly as rising housing costs continue to impact student enrollment and completion.

"By combining tuition support, housing, and a pathway to employment, we are removing obstacles that too often stand between talented students and successful nursing careers," said Jochen Reiser, MD, PhD, president of UTMB and chief executive officer of the UTMB Health System. "This program doesn't just support students; it strengthens patient care and the long-term stability of our health system."

A long-term investment in patient care

Students who complete ISLAND Promise requirements and pass the NCLEX licensure exam will be prioritized for employment opportunities in designated high-need clinical units at UTMB Health. The two-year employment commitment is structured through a forgivable, zero-interest promissory agreement, with loan forgiveness milestones achieved through continued employment.

"This initiative represents the future of academic-clinical integration," said Reiser. "The ISLAND Promise directly aligns education with workforce needs, strengthens our ability to care for patients, and ensures UTMB remains a destination for outstanding nurses now and for decades to come."

A partnership rooted in community impact

The Sealy & Smith Foundation's gift reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the health of the Galveston community and ensuring access to high-quality nursing care well into the future.

"The ISLAND Promise is about building something that lasts," said Jerry Mansfield, PhD, MS, RN, NEA-BC, FNAP, vice president and UTMB Health System chief nursing executive. "By investing in nursing students and supporting them where they live, learn, and work, we're helping UTMB Health create a sustainable workforce pipeline that benefits patients, families, and the entire region."

A national model for nursing education

Modeled in part on the university's successful Student Nurse Immersive Perioperative Program, the ISLAND Promise is designed to be scalable and replicable, positioning UTMB as a national leader in integrated nursing workforce development.

"This program reflects what's possible when philanthropy, education, and patient care come together with a shared vision," Reiser said. "We are deeply grateful to the Sealy & Smith Foundation for making this extraordinary opportunity a reality for our students and our institution."