GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Leaders at Grand Valley State University and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital celebrated a partnership on April 2 designed to address a nursing talent shortage and reduce financial barriers for students pursuing a nursing degree.
Under the agreement, GVSU Kirkhof College of Nursing students interested in the program will receive tuition incentives of up to $5,000 per semester for four semesters. After graduating and passing the licensure exam, they will commit to working at Mary Free Bed for at least two years.
Linda Lewandowski, dean of the Kirkhof College of Nursing, said the partnership strengthens the nursing talent pipeline in West Michigan. The partnership also provides GVSU students access to clinical experiences at Michigan’s top-rated rehabilitation hospital and the soon-to-be-completed Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital.
“This is an innovative program that places GVSU students at its heart,” Lewandowski said. “We appreciate the partnership with Mary Free Bed and this tremendous investment in our students. Mary Free Bed is a recognized leader in rehabilitative care and will offer our students clinical experience where they can continue engaging in interdisciplinary care.”
Students will get an introduction to the world of rehabilitation through the more than 120 medical and sports programs offered by Mary Free Bed. They’ll have the opportunity to work alongside therapists and rehabilitation physicians. With accreditations from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International (CARF), students will see various diagnoses, including amputation, brain injury, spinal cord injury and stroke, in adult and pediatric populations.
“This partnership strengthens our shared commitment to elevating the specialty of rehabilitation nursing, opening pathways for students to learn, contribute and grow in a setting where every milestone matters,” said Maria Opoku‑Agyeman, Mary Free Bed chief nursing officer and vice president of inpatient services. “Together, we’re cultivating a generation of future nurses who will champion recovery, independence and quality of life for every patient they serve.”
GVSU nursing students are well-prepared for the workforce. KCON bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs focus on evidence-based nursing practices. In addition to clinical placements, students learn in a state-of-the-art, 68,000-square-foot Interprofessional Simulation Center, located in the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health. More than 94 percent of all KCON graduates live and work in Michigan.
“As a GVSU graduate who once relied on a scholarship myself, I know how life‑changing this kind of support can be,” said Lisette Wilson, nursing manager at Mary Free Bed. “Both organizations are deeply committed to shaping strong, compassionate nurses, and seeing them come together is truly inspiring. This partnership helps students step into their careers with confidence, and that strengthens care for our entire community.”
About Mary Free Bed
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation is a not-for-profit, internationally accredited and nationally recognized leader in rehabilitation. What started with a single bed in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1891 has grown to a rehabilitation system with over 2,500 staff at over 70 locations in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia and West Virginia. Last year, Mary Free Bed restored hope and freedom through rehabilitation for more than 120,000 children and adults. With more than 120 specialized medical and sports rehabilitation programs and an exclusive focus on rehabilitation, our specialized teams help patients achieve extraordinary clinical results. U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek rate Mary Free Bed as a national Best Rehabilitation Hospital for 2025-26. To learn more, visit maryfreebed.com.
About GVSU
Grand Valley State University attracts nearly 22,000 students with high-quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities. Grand Valley is a comprehensive university, serving students from across Michigan and dozens of other states and foreign countries. Grand Valley offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in 300+ areas of study from campuses in Allendale, Grand Rapids and Holland, and from regional centers in Battle Creek, Detroit, Muskegon and Traverse City. The university is dedicated to individual student achievements, going beyond the traditional classroom experience, with research opportunities and business partnerships.
