Tracy Poelvoorde, PhD, chancellor of Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences, was recognized for her life’s work during a recent ceremony hosted by UnityPoint Health – Trinity, the Friends of Trinity and Trinity Health Foundation.
Ms. Poelvoorde, a health care leader with nearly three decades in higher education, became only the third recipient of the UnityPoint Health – Trinity Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Health Improvement. Established in 2018, the award honors individuals whose leadership reflects the mission of UnityPoint Health – Trinity and its commitment to strengthening community health.
She received the honor during a recognition dinner Wednesday, March 25, at Rhythm City Casino in Davenport.
The annual celebration honors the next generation of healthcare professionals, the families who support them and the generous donors who make these opportunities possible. As part of the program, a total of $191,925 in scholarships were awarded to students pursuing careers in the healthcare field.
“These scholarships are more than a financial gift – they are an investment in the future of healthcare,” Trinity Health Foundation President Mary Macumber-Schmidt said in a news release. “By providing scholarships, our donors are opening doors for talented students who are passionate about caring for others. These opportunities strengthen our workforce, our health system and ultimately, the health of our communities.”
Ms. Macumber-Schmidt, who nominated the Rock Island college’s chancellor for the lifetime achievement award, said Ms. Poelvoorde’s “career embodies the very essence of this award. Her lifelong dedication to advancing healthcare education, her unwavering advocacy for students and her vision for collaborative, community-focused training have transformed not only Trinity College, but the future of healthcare in the Quad Cities.”
In accepting the award, Ms. Poelvoorde said “I am deeply honored and humbled by this recognition. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work alongside remarkable colleagues, faculty, students and community partners who share a commitment to improving health for all. This award reflects our collective efforts to build stronger pathways, stronger programs and ultimately, stronger communities.”
The honor comes three months after the announced acquisition of Trinity College of Nursing by Augustana College, also in Rock Island. In late December, the two institutions unveiled Augustana’s plans to acquire the 125-year-old nursing degree program. The ownership change is expected to happen on June 30 with the whole process expected to be complete in two years after final approval from the U.S. Department of Education.
Ms. Poelvoorde and Augustana President Andrea Talentino jointly announced the acquisition during a news conference Monday, Dec. 22, on Augustana’s campus. The deal came after more than a year of discussions between the two colleges.
At the time, college leaders said Trinity College will continue to educate students at its current 2122 25th Ave. facility on the UnityPoint-Trinity Medical Center campus in Rock Island. Current Trinity students would be able to complete their programs without interruption and graduate with fully accredited degrees.
According to UnityPoint Trinity, Ms. Poelvoorde will continue serving as chancellor through June 30. No announcements about her future role or any other college leadership have been announced.
Trinity College is currently accepting applications for degree programs including: Associate of Applied Science in Radiography, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Medical Laboratory Science and Master of Science in Nursing.
