SMITHFIELD — Johnston Health last week presented a check for $89,319 to the Johnston Community College Foundation.

The money is part of a three-year pledge to support faculty positions in JCC’s associate degree program in nursing.

This month, 39 students will graduate from the program, which is welcome news for local health care employers, said Johnston Health CEO Tom Williams. “With the current nursing shortage, it is important to us to partner with our community, and we are proud to partner with Johnston Community College for those workforce needs,” he said. 

“We would like for every JCC graduate to want to continue to live and work in Johnston County,” Williams added.

Linda Smith is vice president of instruction at JCC. “We would like to thank Johnston Health for its continued support of our health programs,” she said. “The hospital is truly a community partner, and we appreciate our mutual relationship.”

Johnston Health is a longtime supporter of students in JCC health care programs. The nursing program has been a cornerstone of the college since its inception in 1969.