SEMO, Saint Francis launch tuition partnership for health care workers

Southeast Missouri State University and Saint Francis Healthcare System have established a partnership that will give Saint Francis employees reduced tuition as they pursue higher education, the organizations announced Oct. 23. The agreement is intended to help workers complete degrees or advance careers in nursing, medical imaging and other allied health fields.

The organizations formally launched the Pinnacle Corporate Partnership at a signing ceremony at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The program links an employee education benefit with the health system’s effort to develop and retain health care workers in southeast Missouri.

The announcement did not specify the size of the tuition reduction, which programs qualify or when employees can begin using the benefit. Saint Francis and SEMO described the partnership as a way to make further education more affordable while supporting regional workforce needs.

Who can benefit

The reduced-tuition benefit is for Saint Francis employees pursuing higher education. The organizations cited nursing, medical imaging and other allied health fields as areas in which workers could complete degrees or advance their careers. They did not announce whether employees’ family members are eligible.

Saint Francis President and CEO Justin Davison said the partnership is intended to expand affordable opportunities for employees and help address the region’s health care workforce needs. Officials said it is designed to help current workers develop skills for high-demand positions and support efforts to retain health care professionals in southeast Missouri.

How it builds on earlier work

The agreement builds on an existing relationship between SEMO and Saint Francis, according to SEMO President Brad Hodson. He said Saint Francis has helped prepare health care professionals for the region and provided hands-on experience for SEMO students.

Earlier collaboration includes SEMO’s Bachelor of Applied Science in allied health, an educational pathway for professionals working in medical imaging and related fields. SEMO’s corporate partnership program also offers participating organizations workforce training, professional meeting spaces and connections with students through internships, cooperative education and full-time employment opportunities.

This report draws on information from KBSI FOX23 News Cape Girardeau News | Paducah News.