Columbus-based OhioHealth and Columbus State Community College have partnered on an initiative that will double the number of healthcare professionals trained in five fields where there is strong demand from both students and employers.
The more than $120 million joint investment aims to address workforce shortages faced by providers throughout the region.
Over the next 10 years, Columbus State will double the number of students in nursing, surgical technology, medical imaging, respiratory therapy and sterile processing. On average, the college currently enrolls about 1,500 students in the five areas.
Key details of the partnership include:
- Establishing an 80,000-square-foot academic building, expected to be called the OhioHealth Center for Health Sciences, and renovate other classrooms and labs in another campus building, The overall cost is projected to be at least $85 million.
- OhioHealth will provide a $25 million endowment to Columbus State for academic programs that will fund faculty and staff who train healthcare professionals in the five fields targeted for growth.
- Raising at least $12 million for student support and specialized equipment for medical simulation and other hands-on training.
- Collaborate on innovative approaches that support positive educational, workforce and healthcare outcomes for Central Ohio residents and employers.
"This bold partnership will ramp up the talent pipeline within key professions that form the backbone of our healthcare community," OhioHealth President and CEO Steve Markovich, MD, said. "Together, we will increase the pool of home-grown talent, keep regional healthcare strong, and address health disparities by attracting a workforce prepared to care for our diverse community."