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In order to meet an ongoing shortage of healthcare providers in our community, Baxter Regional has partnered with Arkansas State University-Mountain Home to provide an opportunity for students to begin their paramedic or nursing careers. The partnership was announced by the organizations’ leaders as a way to expand the college’s current Paramedic Program and LPN (licensed practical nurse) program to provide students with financial support as they complete their coursework. The program’s goal is to broaden the paramedic and nursing pool in this community while providing cutting-edge educational opportunities to students attending ASUMH.
Applicants for these program will apply for a Baxter Regional scholarship and will participate in a scholarship interview process. Scholarship recipients will receive an award that will pay for any tuition and fees not covered by other sources for the Paramedic or LPN program. In addition, the student will also receive a $500 stipend each month during the 12-month Paramedic or LPN program.
In addition to Paramedic and LPN assistance, Baxter Regional is also offering scholarships for all tuition and fees and a stipend for the 4 week CNA class. Future announcements will be forthcoming regarding similar opportunities for the LPN/Paramedic to RN Programs as well.
Scholarship recipients will be required to complete at least a one-year commitment to working at Baxter Regional upon program completion.
Robin Myers, Chancellor of ASU-Mountain Home, said this program is just one way Baxter Regional gives back to the community. “This is an incredibly generous initiative by Baxter Regional Medical Center and its Foundation. This level of support and the subsequent employment opportunities for our students are amazing. I am certain this will open the healthcare career field for many who might otherwise have thought the costs would be too high.”
“The ASUMH and Baxter Regional Medical Center relationship provides our community with a unique interconnectedness. Students achieve career and educational goals at little to no cost and our region gains dedicated healthcare professionals who care for our community on a daily basis,” added Dr. Julia Gist, Dean of Health Sciences at ASU-Mountain Home. In addition, Dr. Tamara Daniel, Provost at ASUMH, said that the partnership with BRMC presents an amazing opportunity for anyone aspiring to enter into nursing or paramedic programs. “BRMC has graciously provided resources to help students earn their credentials at ASUMH without the burden of student loan debt.”
Barney Larry, who serves as the vice president of business development at Baxter Regional and as the executive director of the Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation, said the goal of this program is to meet healthcare needs and provide students with an opportunity to grow professionally on the local level. “As we look for ways to recruit and retain highly-qualified healthcare professionals, this partnership with ASUMH is ideal,” he said. “The hospital foundation will fund this scholarship program through the Anderson-Downes endowment.
Ms. Anderson and Ms. Downes established this endowment as an avenue for individuals to become nurses, paramedics, and EMTs, because they were passionate about this community and our healthcare needs. To be able to offer this opportunity to ASUMH students and help them earn a paramedic or nursing licenses without student debt is a blessing for the students, their families, and ultimately for the patients we will treat at Baxter Regional.”
Pre-requisite courses and admissions testing are required prior to admission to these programs. Those interested in this program should contact Sarah Smith, ASUMH Health Sciences Coordinator, at 870-508-6266 or online at [email protected].
