Global Health
Leadership Initiatives

International Scholars: Scholarship Opportunities for International Studies

Ohlson International Studies Endowment

The Ohlson endowment provides funds to advance the significant work in international studies begun by Dr. Virginia Ohlson at UIC. These funds enable the College to award scholarships to exceptional international students, bring renowned lecturers in international health care to the College, and enhance the College's contribution to international nursing through its role as a World Health Organization Collaborating Center for International Nursing Development in Primary Health Care.

 

International studies in nursing provide the opportunity for nurses from many countries to achieve the quality of nursing education that will enable them to make significant contributions in meeting the health and development goals of their nations. When nurses are adequately prepared, they can assume leadership in planning community health services, managing community health centers, providing primary health care, and administering day to day services to individuals and families in a society.

 

About Virginia M. Ohlson

 

Dr. Virginia Ohlson has devoted her life to providing professional nursing education and service around the world. In 1991, Dr. Ohlson was awarded the Butterfly, the Third Order of the Precious Crown, by his Majesty the Emperor of Japan in recognition of meritorious service to the Japanese people. Dr. Ohlson was the first nurse, and the first non-Japanese citizen to receive this very prestigious honor.

Dr. Ohlson founded the Office for International Studies (now the Office of Global Health Leadership) at the UIC College of Nursing to further international research, education and service to underserved populations. When nurses are adequately prepared, they can assume leadership in planning community health services, managing community health centers, providing primary health care, and administering day to day services to individuals and families in a society.

Long time mentor, colleague and friend to the faculty and students of the UIC College of Nursing, Dr. Ohlson has devoted her life to providing professional nursing education and service around the world. The international studies program at the College of Nursing reflects Dr. Ohlson's dedication to international education and service. In keeping with the University's commitment to an international and interdisciplinary dimension in its mission of teaching research and service, the Office of Global Health Leadership (formerly the Office for International Studies) functions as a liaison with other academic and administrative units providing linkages relevant to international health and to educational institutions and agencies in the United States and abroad. Two-thirds of the world's people receive inadequate health care, or no health care at all.

In 2004, a publication devoted to the life of Dr. Ohlson was written by Sugino Ohishi. It is currently available only in Japanese.

You can make a contribution to the Virginia M. Ohlson International Studies Fund through the College of Nursing Online Gift website.

Virginia M. Ohlson Scholarship Awardees

Please click here for a list of scholarship awardees to date.