Last edited 3:31 p.m, May 19, 2026 [Editor's note: Ozarks Technical Community College's role has been added. References to CMH have been updated to reflect the involvement of the CMH Foundation.]
Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Medical Excellence Scholarship program is paying the way for three incoming juniors at Bolivar High School to participate in a two-year healthcare training program.
The Alliance for Healthcare Education announced May 18 that the foundation connected to Citizens Memorial Hospital, a workforce affiliate of the alliance, will cover tuition for three students starting with the 2026-27 year. The students are Charles Fagan, Nora Fuller and Rosalie Hatfield.
The annual average tuition per student is slightly more than $8,000. The students will be transported to and from the alliance campus in Springfield.
“At CMH, we know many students are interested in healthcare careers but may not always see a clear path to get there close to home,” said Michael Calhoun, CEO and executive director of Citizens Memorial Hospital and Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation, in a news release. “This partnership with the alliance and Bolivar schools helps create that path while encouraging more young people to pursue careers in healthcare. It is an investment in students, in rural healthcare and in the future of our communities.”
The alliance is a partnership between CoxHealth, Missouri State University, Ozarks Technical Community College and Springfield Public Schools aimed at improving access to affordable healthcare training and addressing workforce shortages in southwest Missouri. The students will be part of the Middle College program at Ozarks Tech.
Braden Berg, communications director for the Bolivar School District, said students were invited to apply and tour the alliance campus inside Cox North. They will be jointly enrolled in the alliance and the Bolivar district.
Bolivar Superintendent Michael Methvin said the partnership allows students to explore career options and connect to regional employers and area colleges.
“The collaboration represents the very best of what happens when education and industry come together. By removing the financial burden of college, Citizens Memorial Hospital is opening doors for our juniors to dive full time into The Alliance for Healthcare Education,” Methvin said in the release. “We are thrilled to see these students jumpstart their medical sciences career paths, and we are equally proud to support CMH in strengthening the local workforce right here in Bolivar.”
The alliance has been largely utilized by Springfield high school students, but this is the first major expansion involving Bolivar.
“Students should not be limited by geography or family finances when they are interested in healthcare careers,” said Shallina Goodnight, executive director of the alliance, in the release. “This partnership is a powerful example of what regional collaboration can make possible. CMH is investing in students, in access and in the future healthcare workforce of this region.”
Editor’s note: Shallina Goodnight is an owner of Springfield Business Journal. She is not involved in day-to-day company operations.
