Inspiring the Next Generation of Nurses

Geraldine Johnson Geckle, ’74, has spent most of her professional career in health care, so she recognizes the value of Loyola’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Geckle is supporting the program with a $250,000 gift to establish the Geckle Endowed Lecture for Nursing.

“The pandemic placed a spotlight on the shortage of nursing professionals nationally,” said Geckle, a member of the Board of Trustees. “Loyola’s outstanding faculty in the sciences is a perfect fit to lay the foundation for the new nursing program, and supporting the launch will help lay the groundwork for future success.”

Geckle recently retired from her role as senior vice president for human resources at Universal Health Services and transitioned to executive advisor there. She was one of the first women enrolled at Loyola when she arrived as a transfer student in the 1970s. Her son, Christopher, graduated from Loyola in 2012.

“The lecture will bring innovative and inspirational leaders to Loyola every year, giving students the opportunity to learn from those who’ve shaped the field of nursing,” said Brian M. Oakes (’99), MBA (’10), vice president for advancement. “Gerry’s forward-thinking gift follows Loyola’s mission of inspiring students to learn, lead, and serve in a diverse and changing world.”

The lecture series will focus on topics such as advancements and challenges in patient care, ethics and social change, diversity in human experience, health equity, and nurse well-being and leadership development.

Learn more about support nursing at Loyola.