$1M grant forms partnership to train health care students

During a visit to Missouri State University yesterday, Gov. Jay Nixon announced a $1 million Innovation Campus Grant, a community initiative designed to train students in the growing health care industry.

MSU is a partner in Innovation Campus-Health Professions Academy with Greene County, Ozarks Technical Community College, Springfield Public Schools, CoxHealth and Mercy.

The Springfield program in the fall will begin enrolling high school students interested in the health care industry in OTC's Middle College Program.

High school juniors and seniors will be able to take college coursework, paving the way for them to earn bachelor's degrees in a variety of health care fields within three to five years of high school graduation. After earning bachelor's degrees, those students would be eligible for priority hiring at CoxHealth and Mercy, the release said.

“The funding from this grant will make it possible for more young people to get an education and begin a career,” OTC Chancellor Hal Higdon said in the release. "The students will benefit from the opportunity, and the community will benefit from having more qualified health care professionals in the work force.”

Yesterday, Nixon also announced $8 million in additional grants to establish Innovation Campuses throughout the state.

“Innovation Campuses create a direct connection for Missouri students between the skills they learn in the classroom, and the skills that are in demand today,” Nixon said in the release. “Not only will students be trained for solid careers in growing industries, they’ll be able to earn those degrees in less time with lower debt as a result.”

The grant program would establish campuses in Joplin, as well as Cape Girardeau, Jefferson City, Johnson County, Rolla, St. Charles County, St. Joseph and St. Louis, the release said.