Family gives $4 million to FVCC health building

The Broussard family, owners of Rebecca Farm, have given $4 million to Flathead Valley Community College to build a nursing and health education center as a tribute to the late Rebecca Broussard.

“FVCC touches the lives of so many people in our community in many ways,” said Jerome Broussard, Rebecca’s husband. “We wanted to recognize Becky’s extraordinary life as a nurse and philanthropist and build a lasting legacy for Becky, who deeply cared about nursing and the community.”

College President Jane Karas said the donation represents the largest gift ever given to the college. She said the building will house nursing classes and labs, other allied health programs and a clinic to offer affordable basic health care to students.

She called the contribution a generous and thoughtful gift from a visionary family that honors Rebecca Broussard’s commitment and dedication to nursing education and the community.

“The facility will enable FVCC to enhance our nursing education programs and provide our students limitless opportunities,” Karas said. “We are sincerely grateful to Jerome and his daughters, Sarah and Rebecca, for their generosity and continued commitment to education and our community.”

In 2003, the Broussard family provided a scholarship endowment that has grown to $1.2 million while also providing scholarships to 229 students.

Karas said their latest gift covers most of the cost to build a proposed $5 million building for which the college plans to break ground next spring. The Broussard family has challenged the community to assist Flathead Valley Community College Foundation in raising the additional $1 million.

  “My mother was a remarkable woman and would be so pleased if our community came together to support this much-needed facility,” Sarah Broussard said.

  Karas said she feels confident that the community will step up to help the college foundation raise the additional $1 million. She did not have any details yet on the foundation’s fundraising plans.

“We’ll get a campaign organized very quickly,” she said.

 According to Karas, initial estimates envision a building of about 30,000 square feet based on the space needed for health programs and the new clinic. No formal design has been completed.

The location hasn’t been settled, but Karas said it would be close to the other academic buildings.

“We’ll probably move some parking,” she said. “We want it to be accessible, especially the student clinic.”

 Karas welcomed the opportunity to provide space for the clinic, saying that many students are not able to afford insurance. She envisions a small clinic providing basic and preventative care.

“We can do that in an affordable manner,” she said.

  According to Karas, the master plan identified the need for a building for the college’s rapidly expanding nursing and allied health programs.

  “We knew we had a need for more space,” she said. “We have some of our nursing program in a mobile trailer on campus.”

  In recent years, the practical nursing program has doubled in size. In July, the college expects the Montana Board of Nursing to approve a new associate’s program to prepare students as registered nurses.

   “This will provide limitless opportunities for students to obtain a nursing education at any level without having to move,” Karas said. “We have a waiting list of practical nurses interested in the two-year RN associate’s of science,” she said.

 Other programs to be housed in the new building include certified nurse’s aide, medical assistant and paramedicine, as well as the new emergency management and physical therapy programs.

According to Karas, this donation came to fruition very recently although the Broussard family has long been interested in supporting the college’s efforts.

 “We had conversations about what was needed to move the college’s nursing program forward,” she said. “They’re interested in doing something that will benefit the community far into the future.”

 Karas said that supporting nursing education also addresses the looming nursing shortage. By educating people in the community, she said many more will choose to focus their careers in the Flathead Valley.

 Myrna Ridenour, the college’s nursing program director, said she was honored by the donation to support the college in continuing to offer high-quality nursing and health science education in the community.

 “As a nurse, Becky understood the importance of quality nursing education,” Ridenour said.

 Rebecca Broussard, who died Dec. 24, 2010, earned her nursing degree in the late 1970s from the University of Evansville in Indiana. She worked as a nurse in Kentucky and in hospice in Jamaica.

She became a major figure in the world of equestrian eventing. Her daughter Sarah and the Broussard family have carried on that legacy.

 She founded The Event at Rebecca Farm, an equestrian triathlon and World Cup qualifier. Held annually in Kalispell, the event, free and open to spectators, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year July 21-24.

People interested in learning more or donating to help raise the $1 million match may contact Colleen Unterreiner at 756-3914 or colleenu@fvcc.edu

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com