Recreating the Standard of Nursing Education in Haiti

It has been a personal honor to work with such an incredible group of global nursing leaders, and I am incredibly pleased that—thanks to a generous $462,800 grant from the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund—we will have the opportunity to continue this partnership for years to come.

The Regis College Haiti Project is a collaboration among the Regis College School of Nursing, Science, and Health Professions, Haiti’s Ministry of Health, and the University of Haiti to train nursing leaders in Haiti. At the completion of the three-year program, the 12 nursing faculty members will graduate from the University of Haiti as nurse educators and leaders with advanced educational and research skills and continue to teach the next generation of Haitian nurses. Next summer, Regis will host two cohorts simultaneously—the first cohort will return as teachers for the second group who will be at Regis for their first summer session of classes.

The 12 Haitian nursing professors enrolled in the project’s first cohort spent six weeks continuing their program by taking two masters-level courses at the Regis College campus in Weston, MA. The nurses also spent time shadowing nurses at local Boston hospitals. It was another summer of hard work and perseverance, and the 12 nurses will return to Haiti having gained critical experience in advanced nursing research, problem solving, and community health.

My colleague Nadia Raymond—a Haitian nurse herself and PIH’s liaison to the Haiti Project—summed up well our gratitude to Regis College and all those involved.

“I would like to thank the president of Regis College, Antoinette Hays, RN, PhD, for her perseverance and patience making the Regis College Haiti Project a reality. Along with the team at Regis College, Partners In Health, Haiti's Ministry of Health, and other supporters, President Hayes has worked tirelessly to make this dream come true.

This is my second year assisting with the program, and I have enjoyed every second of it. In the process I have learned so much from the struggles and triumph of these 12 nurse leaders. I had the privilege of attending classes alongside them and providing English to French interpretation. I remain impressed with their eagerness to learn and their commitment to this program.”

The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund grant is a watershed moment for this joint project. I look forward to updating you further on the progress of these nurses and their tireless efforts to improve medical education in Haiti.