Jacksonville State University, Regional Medical Center Partner for New Scholarship Initiative for Employees
05/24/2024
Jacksonville State University (Jax State) and Regional Medical Center (RMC) have taken a significant step to expand their longstanding partnership. On Friday, May 17, 2024, leaders from both institutions signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), further strengthening their collaborative efforts by offering a 20% tuition scholarship to eligible RMC employees.
The new scholarship, available starting with Jax State's upcoming summer terms: Summer 4-Week, Summer II, and Summer Block 2, is designed to support RMC employees in pursuing further education and training. The application process is straightforward, and all RMC employees, regardless of their classification, are eligible to apply.
“This MOU signing is a testament to the friendship and the collaboration that we have between our two entities,” said Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. “We are deeply grateful to RMC for the partnership, the opportunities for our students, and the healthcare they provide for our community. This expansion brings mutual benefits that further enhance the quality of healthcare and education in our community.”
Louis Bass, President and CEO of RMC, expressed his enthusiasm for the strengthened partnership. "It's always a pleasure and an honor for us to be able to work with Jax State. We've done so many things together, from the Student Health Center to the South Complex to this scholarship. This initiative is another testament to our commitment to the professional development of our healthcare workforce and the enhancement of the overall quality of healthcare provided to the community.”
Previously, the partnership scholarship was specifically geared towards RMC nurses and respiratory therapists who participated in the RN-BSN or Respiratory Therapy Bridge programs. Under the new MOU, all classifications of RMC employees are eligible to apply, and the scholarship is no longer restricted to RN-BSN or Respiratory Therapy Bridge programs.
Jax State's Chief Nursing Administrator, Dr. Betsy Gulledge, praised RMC as a vital partner in nursing education. "We've always had a great relationship with RMC and open lines of communication. I would consider RMC to be our most significant collaborating clinical partner over the years, always looking for ways to improve the experience for students.”