Academic Partnerships

Learn how Mercy and Drury University developed an innovative partnership that is preparing students for one of healthcare's most in-demand careers.

Mercy has also teamed up with colleges and universities in Springfield to make it easier for students to access educational programs and training. A great example of this is Drury GO. The evening and online programming helps non-traditional students fit school into their busy schedules. In 2024, Mercy and Drury GO launched a new Surgical Technologist with Medical Terminology Pre-Certification Training Program to help attract and retain students to one of Mercy’s most-needed roles. “Our surgical technicians are vital to our ability to care for patients every single day,” said Jessica Atchison, executive director of educational programs. “Drury GO lets us find a new group of students who likely wouldn’t have heard about this opportunity otherwise, and we’re able to make schooling easier for them by paying them while they train.”

Why This Matters

The workforce challenges facing today's employers cannot be solved by business alone. Increasingly, successful organizations are collaborating with educational institutions to create clearer pathways from the classroom to meaningful careers.

Mercy's partnership with Drury GO demonstrates how employers and educators can work together to remove barriers that often prevent capable students from entering high-demand professions. Flexible scheduling, paid training opportunities and programs designed around workforce needs benefit students while helping employers address critical staffing shortages.

The lesson extends beyond healthcare. When education and industry collaborate, everyone benefits—from students and employers to the communities they serve.

Key Takeaways

• Strong partnerships create stronger workforce pipelines.
• Removing barriers expands the available talent pool.
• Collaboration produces solutions that neither organization could achieve alone.