Conemaugh School of Nursing Alumni Association relaunching, celebrating 130 years of nursing excellence
February 11, 2026
Rich in history and rooted in resilience, the Conemaugh School of Nursing is reconnecting generations of nurses with the relaunch of the Conemaugh School of Nursing Alumni Association.
The origins of Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center trace back to the aftermath of the Great Johnstown Flood of 1889, when community members created makeshift medical facilities to care for the injured and displaced. As donations poured in from around the world, Clara Barton and a small group of volunteers arrived in Johnstown, marking the first major disaster aid response organized by the American Red Cross. The hospital officially opened in 1892 and today serves as Conemaugh Health System’s flagship hospital and a Level I Trauma Center.
Just four years later, in 1896, the Conemaugh School of Nursing admitted its first class of six female students. The school’s iconic pink cross nursing pin, designed by an 1898 graduate, honors the Red Cross’ role in the hospital’s founding and remains a symbol of heritage and pride used in pinning ceremonies today.
Since its inception, the Conemaugh School of Nursing has graduated 4,287 registered nurses. As the school approaches its 130th anniversary, alumni are coming together once again to support current and future students through the relaunch of the alumni association.
The Conemaugh School of Nursing Alumni Association disbanded in 2016, leaving a void in continuing education opportunities and community connections for nurses. The effort to reform the association is being led by Heather Richards, a Conemaugh School of Nursing alumna and longtime employee of Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. After sharing the idea on social media, Richards received an overwhelming response from alumni eager to reconnect.
“Graduates of Conemaugh are extremely loyal to the school,” said Richards. “I like to think of it as a sisterhood and brotherhood of nurses, because we take care of our own.”
As interest grew, Richards partnered with CFA to establish the Conemaugh School of Nursing Alumni Fund through Nonprofit Partners, a subsidiary of the Community Foundation that supports grassroots charitable efforts without requiring independent nonprofit status. The fund will support alumni association initiatives, including scholarships and hardship grants for current students.
Due to the rigorous nature of the program, many students struggle to balance coursework with employment, particularly non-traditional students with families and additional responsibilities.
“When I worked at the school, I saw students who were doing everything they could to make it work,” Richards said. “Something as unexpected as a furnace breaking could be enough to force them out of the program. Our goal is to not only provide scholarships but also help students through life’s unexpected challenges so they can continue their education and be successful.”
Beyond financial support, the alumni association aims to create a supportive online community where graduates can provide academic guidance, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
“There are so many people who want to help,” Richards added. “This gives our graduates an avenue to support students in meaningful ways, especially in the digital age.”
The relaunch of the alumni association kicked off with a celebration of the Conemaugh School of Nursing’s 130th anniversary on Monday, February 9, from 2 to 8 p.m. in the hospital’s atrium.
From its beginnings in the wake of tragedy to its role today as a cornerstone of healthcare education, the Conemaugh School of Nursing stands as a testament to the power of community. With the relaunch of the alumni association, that legacy of support will continue for generations of nurses to come.
More information about the Conemaugh School of Nursing Alumni Association on their Facebook page. To become a member of the Alumni Association, visit Nonprofit-Partners.org/Partners.