Published on March 05, 2010

Dr. Alla's Gift Funds Nursing Education For Years To Come

When Dr. V.R. Alla committed to funding an annual nursing program at the Genesis, Illini Campus, he made a gift that will educate the hospital's nurses for the next decade and establish an endowment fund that will continue the program in perpetuity.

His commitment last year to fund $5,000 a year over the next 10 years was his way of showing his appreciation for nurses.

With the donation, Illini Campus nurses will again enjoy learning opportunities at "The Second Annual Alla Illini Nursing Symposium" on March 31 and April 1 at the Larson Center.

This year's symposium will celebrate nurses' contribution to their role in infection prevention, with the program "Sepsis: What's Bugging Your Patient?" which will be presented by Linda M. Bay, RN, MSN, CCRN.

Educational opportunities like these are especially important as the Illini Campus works toward earning the prestigious Magnet designation for nursing excellence. In 2005, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, became the first hospital in the region to earn the designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Illini Campus nurses already have a long tradition of personalized care and typically score high in the area of patient satisfaction.

"As part of the Magnet journey, we are setting up the structure to develop shared governance so nurses have a greater role in decision-making. We also must increase educational opportunities, nursing research and evidence-based practices," says Maggie Dubin, RN, Illini's Magnet Program Coordinator. "The educational opportunities funded with the donation from Dr. Alla only help strengthen that journey."

Dr. Alla, a nephrologist, came to the Quad Cities nearly 30 years ago with little money but big dreams. He wants to give back to the communities where he and his family have seen those dreams fulfilled. He established the Quad Cities Kidney Center with one location in 1981, and today, multiple centers serve hundreds of patients across the region, including on the Illini Campus in Silvis.

The Alla Illini Nursing Symposium will be on an annual basis with a purpose of articulating what nurses contribute to health care and presenting nurses with the latest evidence to ensure positive patient outcomes.

"Dr. Alla's generosity will benefit Illini Campus nurses for years to come," said Steve Goebel, development officer for the Illini Foundation. "By making educational opportunities like this available to nurses, we are also better able to serve patient needs.''

Last year's inaugural event, presented by Kathleen Vollman, MSN, of Detroit, a nationally recognized critical care nursing specialist, taught an audience of nurses about the forces of change in health care and the role of nurses in improving patient safety all over the country.