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News — Amid a growing national shortage of nurses, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $1.5 million donation from the to create an endowed directorship for the Center for Simulation Innovation (CSI). This generous gift will provide additional resources to support nursing education and help strengthen the pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals in Arkansas.

The endowment of the Willard and Pat Walker Director of the Center for Simulation Innovation ensures that the CSI will remain at the forefront of innovation and excellence in clinical education. 

The delivers immersive healthcare simulation training to approximately 500 undergraduate nursing students each year and was recognized with the by the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, making it the only lab in Arkansas to have this recognition. Collectively, UA Little Rock nursing students spend about 30,000 hours in the lab each year.

"The Willard and Pat Walker Foundation has a long history of support for our School of Nursing that has enabled us to have a meaningful impact on healthcare in Arkansas by equipping our students with the support, skills, and resources they need to excel,” Provost Ann Bain said. “This latest gift will not only strengthen our ability to educate and train the next generation of nurses but also empower us to embrace cutting-edge advancements in the field.”

When Bain joined the nursing faculty in 1983, UA Little Rock had a small two-year nursing program that admitted about 60 students a year. Times have certainly changed with UA Little Rock’s addition of the LPN-to-RN program, Paramedic-to-RN program, and RN-to-BSN online program. Now with about 1,000 nursing majors enrolled, it's the university's largest academic program. 

The Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation prioritizes initiatives in Arkansas that will benefit the most from its support while honoring the legacy of Pat and Willard Walker. Reflecting this generosity and continued dedication to nursing education, UA Little Rock named the Willard and Pat Walker Center for Nursing Education in their honor.

"Our investment in UA Little Rock’s nursing program is making a real difference, and we’re proud to continue supporting its success,” said Mandy Macke, executive director and vice chairman of the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation. “The Center for Simulation Innovation is equipping future nurses with the skills they need to provide quality care, ultimately increasing access to high-quality healthcare across Arkansas. This endowed directorship strengthens our shared commitment to improving health outcomes for our communities."

Joanna Hall, director of the Center of Simulation Innovation and assistant professor of nursing, is a former Willard and Pat Walker endowed scholarship recipient at UA Little Rock and credits the foundation for its lasting impact on healthcare education in Arkansas.

"The Walkers have been amazing supporters of UA Little Rock nursing students," Hall said. "As a two-time Walker Scholar, it is especially meaningful to now serve in a  director position the Walker Foundation has endowed at my alma mater. This generous gift recognizes the exceptional training our simulation faculty provide and helps us retain top faculty, ensuring our Center for Simulation Innovation and School of Nursing continue to prepare highly qualified, competent, and safe nurses to care for our Arkansas communities.”

UA Little Rock’s School of Nursing has significantly enhanced its programs in recent years, consistently achieving outstanding NCLEX exam pass rates and making major investments in state-of-the-art training technology. The Center for Simulation Innovation now features a robust suite of cutting-edge equipment, including a shaken baby simulator, EchoMasks, MetaQuest VR headsets, and pediatric manikins, providing students with an advanced, hands-on learning experience and preparing them for a myriad of experiences in the healthcare field. 

Learn more about the nursing program at .