A dynamic connection between Riverside Healthcare and Olivet Nazarene University continues to benefit many students, professors, medical personnel and patients in Kankakee County. Take a look at some of the many ways Olivet and Riverside are doing something good together.
Olivet is partnering with Riverside to provide social work and nursing students with the internships and clinicals they need to complete their degree programs. “This is a long-standing, fruitful relationship that benefits Olivet students greatly and often results in students getting hired for jobs locally,” says Dr. Amber Residori ’93/’17 Ed.D., dean of the College of Professional Studies. “Our nursing program leaders and I meet with Riverside’s leadership team, typically on a quarterly basis, to ensure we are maintaining a strong relationship. We also want to gain feedback on how our students are performing in practice and enhance our curriculum, if necessary.”
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Immersion course at Olivet was born out of these meetings. Riverside provided helpful feedback on skills that FNP graduates could enhance. Dr. Suzanne Phipps ’16 Ed.D., professor and director of Olivet’s MSN/FNP program, took that feedback and created an immersion course. At this two-day, in-person course, FNP students get hands-on practice with live models and return demonstrations to enhance their technical skills.
Riverside Healthcare’s partnership with Olivet’s Biology Department and Exercise and Sports Science Department is providing a three-tier experience in the realities of healthcare careers for biology majors pursuing pre-med.
“We want to find more ways for Olivet students to experience a variety of areas within the hospital and get firsthand experiences in their areas of interest,” Dr. Residori says. “We’re investing in Olivet students with the hope that they will remain in Kankakee County or return here after earning advanced degrees.”
Two new two-year tuition scholarships are designed to benefit Kankakee County, Riverside Healthcare and Olivet students. These scholarships, funded by a generous donation from Riverside, began blessing junior and senior nursing students at Olivet in fall 2025. Tuition can vary based on other scholarships a student may have. This scholarship will cover any remaining tuition for the junior and senior years, including full tuition if the recipient has no other scholarships. Recipients agree to work at Riverside in their junior and senior years, minimally, on a temporary relief basis (two eight-hour shifts monthly) until graduation. In addition, recipients agree to work at Riverside for three years post-graduation.
“This is a lead partnership toward Olivet’s local scholarship goal,” said Susan Wolff ’94/’06 MBA, Olivet’s associate vice president for institutional advancement. “Making these connections with our local community is a top priority for the University.”
Since 2021, Riverside has given two $1,000 scholarships to two ROTC students who are pursuing careers in nursing or biology. Riverside is a Military Friendly-designated organization. This is one way Riverside demonstrates its commitment to investing in young military service men and women.
Olivet is extending an invitation to alumni, family and friends to partner with the University in creating a “redeeming abundance” for a new generation of transformational leaders. Learn more about Olivet’s Strength and Hope Campaign and find opportunities to give at olivet.edu/giving/strength-and-hope-campaign/
Read the entire “Doing Something Good Together” issue here.
