For Linda Higginson and Susan Youtz, giving back has always been a way of life. With decades of experience in education and healthcare, they have dedicated themselves to supporting the next generation of professionals and improving access to essential services. Now, through a generous estate gift and a five-year pledge to the Mount Nittany Health Foundation, they are continuing their legacy of service by supporting behavioral health initiatives and nursing education.
Linda moved to the area in 1970 to pursue her master’s degree and went on to spend 25 years of her career in undergraduate education at Penn State University. As an academic advisor in the Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), she helped countless students navigate their academic paths. She played a key role in the College of Health and Human Development, where she established its first academic advising center, and she later served as interim director of DUS before retiring. Additionally, she spent 10 years working within Penn State’s Commonwealth Campus system, visiting all 19 campuses and fostering educational growth statewide.
Susan, a nurse by training, started her career through a hospital-based nursing program before earning a bachelor of science at Trenton State College (now the College of New Jersey), and later her master’s degree from New York University. She served as the head of Penn State’s undergraduate nursing program, shaping the future of nursing education and advocating for high standards in patient care. Her passion for nursing extended beyond the classroom—she helped secure a grant to open a nurse-run facility in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, addressing critical healthcare shortages in the region.
Both Linda and Susan hold doctorates in counselor education, further underscoring their lifelong dedication to learning and mentorship. The couple’s deep commitment to education and healthcare led them to support Mount Nittany Health’s Behavioral Health Fund and Nursing Education Fund. For them, this contribution is personal. “Most of my medical experiences over the past 50 years have been with Mount Nittany Health,” Linda shared. “Susan was a nurse educator, and she was also a floor nurse. Continuing professional education is extremely important to us.”
Their investment in behavioral health stems from a strong awareness of the national mental health crisis and the urgent need for expanded services. The Behavioral Health Fund at Mount Nittany Health helps enhance patient care through program development, educational outreach, and essential equipment purchases. One recent initiative funded by this program included the purchase of a specialized rocking chair for the inpatient Behavioral Health Unit. This chair, designed to provide a calming sensory intervention, has been shown to improve symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, and other behavioral health conditions. “In terms of behavioral health, I’m hoping we can continue to support nurses and caregivers,” Linda explained. “Both of us have long commitments to helping people gain more knowledge and experience. We hope this gift helps to grow Mount Nittany Health’s behavioral health services.”
Similarly, the Nursing Education Fund reflects Linda and Susan’s passion for lifelong learning and professional development. This fund provides financial support to nurses pursuing continuing education opportunities. Recent allocations have covered the cost for three pediatric nurses at Mount Nittany Physician Group to become Certified Lactation Counselors, improving breastfeeding support for new mothers in the community. The fund has also supported leadership workshops aimed at rebuilding nursing teams. “We believe that investing in nursing education strengthens not just the individual nurses, but the entire healthcare system,” Linda said. “By providing opportunities for continued learning, we’re ensuring better care for future patients.”
For Linda and Susan, philanthropy is about strengthening the community and ensuring future generations have access to quality care. “It will only help the community,” Linda said. “It will provide resources to help future generations. We are rich in resources, but we can still improve in so many areas.” Their hope is that others are inspired to invest in their community, just as they have.
The impact of their generosity will be felt for years to come. Adrienne Krasowitz, Executive Director of the Mount Nittany Health Foundation, expressed deep gratitude for their commitment. “Linda and Susan’s gift is a testament to their lifelong dedication to education and healthcare. Their support will help provide vital resources to behavioral health initiatives and nursing education,” she said. “Ensuring that patients and providers alike have the tools they need to thrive is at the core of what we do at the Mount Nittany Health Foundation, and their generosity will make a profound impact.”
Mount Nittany Health President and CEO Kathleen Rhine emphasized the importance of philanthropy in shaping the future of healthcare. “Access to quality care enhances our entire community. Linda and Susan understand that deeply, and their generosity will make a lasting difference,” she said. “We are incredibly grateful for their partnership in our mission to create a healthier community.”
For Linda and Susan, it all comes down to one fundamental principle: taking care of people. “We give because we care about the community,” Linda said. Their legacy of care will continue to uplift Mount Nittany Health and the people it serves for generations to come.