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Regis University Awarded $585,060 Grant from The Colorado Health Foundation to Support Culturally-Responsive Nursing Education

  • Sheryl Tirol
  • March 17, 2025

Three-year grant will fund the PUENTE "Bridge" Program to strengthen the primary care workforce and advance health equity in Colorado

Denver - Regis University is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $585,060 grant from The Colorado Health Foundation to support the PUENTE “Bridge” Program: Pipeline Uplifting Excellence in Nursing Training and Education. This transformative three-year grant will strengthen the University’s efforts to develop a diverse and culturally responsive primary care workforce, ensuring equitable healthcare access for all communities. 
 
“At a time when culturally competent healthcare professionals are more critical than ever, this generous support from The Colorado Health Foundation allows us to expand our commitment to preparing nursing professionals who are equipped to serve diverse populations with excellence and compassion,” said Nicki Gonzales, Vice-Provost at Regis University. 
 
The PUENTE “Bridge” Program is designed to enhance nursing education, recruitment, and training initiatives that empower students, including those from underserved communities to succeed in the healthcare field. Through mentorship, academic support, and hands-on clinical experience, the program will cultivate a new generation of nurses who are prepared to address health disparities and provide patient-centered care that reflects the needs of Colorado’s communities.“ 
 
For Colorado to achieve true health equity, we must invest in a healthcare workforce that reflects the communities it serves,” said Liz Charles, Senior Program Officer at The Colorado Health Foundation. “Through the PUENTE ‘Bridge’ Program, Regis University is building a pipeline of culturally responsive nursing professionals who are equipped to provide compassionate, high-quality care to all Coloradans. We are proud to support this initiative, which will help break down barriers to healthcare access and strengthen the foundation of primary care in our state.”
 
The Colorado Health Foundation’s investment in Regis University underscores the shared mission of advancing health equity and ensuring that all Coloradans have access to high-quality care. Regis University will work closely with the Foundation to implement and measure the impact of the program, reinforcing the institution’s role as a leader in healthcare education and workforce development. 
 
“We are grateful for this partnership and the opportunity to expand pathways for aspiring nurses who are passionate about making a difference,” added Linda Osterlund, Dean of Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, “This grant will allow us to continue shaping healthcare professionals who are not only skilled but also deeply committed to serving with cultural awareness and empathy.” 
 
Regis University encourages its community and partners to celebrate this milestone and to follow program developments in the coming months. For more information about the PUENTE “Bridge” Program, contact Nicki Gonzales, Vice-Provost at Regis University (ngonzale@regis.edu) or visit regis.edu.

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About Regis University

Established in 1877, Regis University is a premier, globally engaged institution of higher learning in the Jesuit tradition that prepares leaders to live productive lives of faith, meaning and service. Regis University, one of 27 Jesuit universities in the nation, has two campus locations in the Denver metro area and extensive online program offerings with more than 6,000 enrolled students. It is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. For more information, visit www.regis.edu. 

About The Colorado Health Foundation

The Colorado Health Foundation is a statewide philanthropic organization that champions the overall health and well-being of every Coloradan by advocating for and investing in solutions and policies that drive health equity and racial justice. Every day, we collaborate with organizations and communities across the state to break down the many systemic inequities that stand in the way of health. Learn more at www.coloradohealth.org.