"We are thrilled and thankful that the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation had the vision and foresight to underwrite this creative solution to help ease San Francisco's nursing shortage," said Mara Hook, Vice President of Development for California Pacific Medical Center Foundation. "It's a perfect partnership, given our Foundation's mission to develop resources to provide the best health care for our community," Hook added.

"California is in the midst of a nursing shortage that is only expected to intensify as baby boomers age and their need for health care grows," said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom of the grant. "The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation grant ensures that additional nurses will be trained to meet the health care needs of San Francisco for generations to come."

This unique public-private collaboration established by the grant will allow City College of San Francisco to offer, in addition to its present program, an afternoon-evening associate nursing degree (ADN). It is estimated that this visionary partnership will significantly increase City College of San Francisco's capacity to meet the local demand for nurses, graduating a total of more than 80 nurses over four years. This is in addition to the average of 62 new graduates annually produced by the College's current daytime program.

"For many years there has been a tremendous shortage in trained nursing professionals. Correspondingly, this need takes place during challenging economic times for our state and public institutions like City College of San Francisco," said Dr. Philip R. Day, Jr., College Chancellor. "The Moore Foundation's support is both timely and much-needed, and will go a long way in positioning City College and our partners, California Pacific Medical Center and St. Luke's Hospital, to address this crucial need," added Dr. Day.

California Pacific Medical Center has committed an additional $126,563 in work study funding for this program, and with St. Luke's Hospital, will provide the skills and knowledge of their expert nurses who will function as clinical faculty, as well offer the expanded use of their hospital facilities for clinical placements.

The new afternoon-evening ADN program will start accepting students in Spring 2005 for classes which will begin in Fall Semester 2005. Prospective students interested in more information about the program can contact Linda Squires-Grohe, Dean of the School of Health and Physical Education at City College of San Francisco, at 415-561-1908.

About the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation launched the Betty Irene Moore Nursing initiative in November 2003, with the goal of improving nursing-related patient outcomes in acute care hospitals. The initiative is focused in Alameda, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties. Strategies include increasing the quantity of registered nurses (RNs), improving clinical skills effectiveness and promoting best practices for nursing care in the SF Bay Area.

The Foundation was established in September 2000 by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore and his wife Betty to create positive outcomes for future generations. The Foundation funds outcome-based grants and initiatives to achieve significant and measurable results. Grantmaking supports the Foundation's principal areas of concern: environmental conservation, science, higher education, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

About California Pacific Medical Center Foundation

The California Pacific Medical Center Foundation develops resources that support California Pacific Medical Center in providing our community with the best health care available. Such resources are directed toward caring for new life, educating and supporting caregivers, ensuring a healthier future through medical research, nurturing and treating those who are ill, and, with dignity, caring for those who are dying. The Foundation has raised over $120 million in the past decade to serve the healthcare needs of San Franciscans.

About City College of San Francisco

City College of San Francisco, founded in 1935 and serving over 100,000 students annually, offers an Associate in Science curriculum in Nursing which is accredited by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Students who complete the course of study in accordance with City College requirements are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination of registered Nurses, and once they pass are qualified for entry-level positions of RN in health facilities and agencies.

About California Pacific Medical Center

California Pacific Medical Center, a Sutter Health affiliate, is one of the largest private, not-for-profit teaching medical centers in Northern California. We are a tertiary referral center providing access to leading-edge medicine while delivering the best possible personalized care. CPMC provides a wide variety of services, including acute, post-acute and outpatient hospital care; home care and hospice services; preventive and complementary care; and health education. Through our medical education program and our research institute, physicians at California Pacific Medical Center are able to bring health care innovation to the bedside.

About St. Luke's Hospital

St. Luke's Hospital, an affiliate of Sutter Health, is a full-service 260-bed licensed acute care facility which is community-based and not-for-profit. For over 130 years, St. Luke's has been providing quality health care services to all of San Francisco's residents. Health care services offered at St. Luke's include a Cardiac Care Center, family-oriented Birthing Center with private rooms and certified midwife delivery services, a Bariatrics Program, Diabetes Program, Health Care Center and a 24-hour Emergency Department.