The Healthy Community Alliance is partnering with The Health Foundation for Western and Central New York to inform the community about Geriatric Education programs for rural health professionals. Beginning January 2014, a course and certificate for guided care nursing is being offered.

This six-week online course, sponsored by The Institute for Johns Hopkins Nursing, part of Johns Hopkins Medicine, gives nurses the knowledge and skills needed to assess patient needs, monitor chronic conditions and educate and empower patients to improve health and quality of life.

The program is offered five times a year. Six two-month sessions of the Guided Care Nursing online course will be offered in 2014, including January to February, March to April, May to June, July to August, September to October and November to December.

Eligible applicants are required to submit a brief scholarship application to enroll in any one of the programs listed above that best meets their individual training needs, interests, ability to travel and take time away from work.

Approved scholarships will cover course tuition for the programs. The completed application must be emailed to slee@hfwcny.org no later than 30 days prior to the start of the applicant’s desired course. Applicants will be notified of scholarship awards by phone and email within two weeks of application receipt.

The Health Foundation also offers the following upcoming programs: Inten-sive Board Review Course in Geriatric and Palliative Medicine; Geriatric Scholar Certificate Program; and Geriatric Education for Rural Providers in Western New York.

To find out more about the Geriatric Education for Rural Health Professionals program and to apply go to hfwcny.org.